Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1922-02-07
RED CROSS REPORT.

The coming of cold weather with the pre-
vailing unemployment has brought on con-
ditions in the county that engaging the
American Red Cross. Every few days dis
close families in need of food, clothing or
shelter. Garments partly worn, in large
numbers have been left at the Community
House for distribution among those deserv-
ing help but when entire families with six
or eight children in them. and these almost
threadbare, the supply is soon exhausted.
A number of children, however. have been
provided with sufficient clothing to enable
them to attend school.
Several children who were found to be
under he'd when weighing and meas
uring tests were made, have been supplied
with milk when proof was available to show
that their parents could not afford to buy
It.
TIE December report of the Red Cross is
appended:
his seems to be an opportune time to
tell of one of our special cases.
In lie emile 1920, she first came to our
rotice AID wss then a rather thin and pale
child, inclined to be listiess. The family
was consulted at the time, as to her diet,
sleep and other habits, and at intervals the
case was followed up to encourage the child
and keep her under supervision until in
this month. exactly one year later. when
she was weighed and measured, we found
that she had gained Is pounds. this bring
ing her up to the normal weight for her
height and age. She has rosy cheeks and a
bright, happy expression and tells us. that
her improvement is due to drinking lots
of milk every day
In the same school, we have another
little girl who is now in normal condition
whereas a year ago she was pale. quite
frail, and constantly suffering with sore
20 pounds. since her tonsils were taken out
a year ago.
There were 227 pupils examined during
December in Halltown. Middleway, Kable-
nd Charl hal
been rather encouraging to find that among
these So old defects have been corrected or
improved from total of IA, which is a
larger proportion than expected. Home
visits were made to 40 pupils.
The infant and child welfare conferences
are still held on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of each month. from to
D. m. The December conferences were
quite small probably because of Indictment
weather. and on the first day the atten-
dance composed of just single one
and an out of town baby at that. One
might gather that the Charles Town babies
were not as sturdy as those of the other
parts of the county, excepting that the
babies themselves are usually ready to be
out regardless of weather conditions, il
only the mothers can be induced to take
infants, 10 children of pre-school age, and
three prenatal cases.
Bedside care was given in IL nursing
visits, and there were eight office treat
Several cases of tuberculosis are being
observed carefully and given instructions
for their own welfare well as to prevent
any spread of this disease. The results
obtained here too, have been well worth
while.
The Red Cross wishes to thank Mr..
Melvin Strider for his generosity in lending
his automobile for the use of the COM
munity nurse in her visits to the schools
in the different parts of the county and her
follow up work with children needing at
tention.
Not only has Mr.. Strider given the use
of his car. but he has refused to accept
payment for the gasoline and oil used in
the Red Cross service. AS this has been
the only car offered us, we have made a
great deal of use of it and feel deeply
grateful to him as our limited income ham,
pers us very much in our work.
Surely the health and welfare of those in
our community and county should appeal to
us as strongly as that of the children in
other lands.
St Matthew %: 2S-These ought We to
have done. and not to leave the other I'M
done