Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1925-12-15
EACH PURCHASE OF LITTLE
CHRISTMAS HEALTH SEALS
AIDS IN Worthwhile WORK

ton, and her Ford car, without which
she would be unable to do half the
work which falls upon her shoulders,
make up one of the busiest combina-
tons in Augusta. All forms of public
. health work come within the scope of
her duties, although especial emphasis
is laid on baby and child welfare edu-
cation through clinics, mothers con-
ferences and lectures Much of her
success along these lines is due to the
hearty cooperation of the people of
Augusta, who back her up not only in
financial way but with their approba-
ton and assistance in clinic and lee
ture work.
Health Seals Help Work
The sale of Christmas Seals and
Health Bonds now going on is one of
the times when the people of the city
are called upon to help in the health
work of the community. A goal of 10
cents per capita, amounting to a gross
return OF $500 and sales and health
bonds, mas been set for the sale this
year, and 1t is expected that this goal
Will he reached, although it will be at
the expense OF much effort upon the
part OF those who are conducting the
| actual work of the campaign.
OF that $1,000 the Augusta Public
Health Association, under whose aus
| pices Miss Ballantyne looks alter the
health of the city, will receive 80 per
cent or nearly $1,000 to be devoted to
local work. This is a consider a BILE
| advance over former years. when but
60 per cent of the money raised here
| remand in Augusta. OF the 20 per
cent which is not retained here, one
half g. es to the Maine Public Health
Association and the other half to the
National tuberculosis Association. 1t
| Is interesting to note that the entire
cost of pl hitting and distributing tie
stamps is but ten per cent the remain
ing 80 per cent of the amount raised
being used for health work in the
city, state or nation.
Splendid Returns
The interest in the sale this year
from comparative figures is much
greater than usual, and 1t is expected
that one half the total quota, will be
raised by tonight. The workers fully
realize however that the top of the
hill is the hardest pull and are ready
TO redouble their efforts in order that
the goal may be attained.
A total of 1900 letters have been
sent out to families in the city, each
enclosing a sheet of 100 stamps with
a letter asking that these stamps be
accepted for use on Christmas letters
and packages, and that the G. lount
of one dollar be returned to the Of
flee of Treasurer Ernest L. Mclean
Over 1000 of those letters were re-
urned on Monday with approximate
ly one-third containing the money,
the others returning the stamps.
b Fr, % .
cent Is good return, everyone re-
ceiving one of these letters is urged
to think twice before sending back
the Health seals. So far as has been
possible but one letter has been sent
to q family as it was felt that one
hundred stamps would in the major
ity of cases be sufficient for a fam
lily.
Although the return from these seals
and health bonds will not be sufficient
to carry out the work of the Augusta
public health nurse for the season, 9TH
er agencies connected with the Angus
Ia Public Health Association will swell
the fund to sufficient size to continue
the extensive program for another
year.
Most worth While Endeavor
Beside the work of Miss Ballantyne,
the local health association sponsors
other worthwhile undertakings which
have to do with the betterment of the
health of Augusta people. Two elm
ics for crippled children have been
held with DR.. E G. Abbott of Port
land, famous orthopedic surgeon. ex-
aiming 10s eripples, IS of whom were
from Augusta. OF that number is
have since received hospital treatment
aF hi Aion fc nj
concentrations and as many more are
receiving home treatment at the hands
of their family physicians.
Those who have, are suspected of
having, or have been in contact with
someone who has tuberculosis have
been reached by means of Chest elm
ics' at which ia people have been ex-
amined. resulting in II eases receiving
treatment at State sanitoria, five of j
these returning home cured and five
others still being under treatment.
Twenty-eight asthma sufferers have
also been examined at these chest
clinics.
Very Active Program
The average number Of visits per
month by the public health nurse is
$50. or over 10 a day. Since coming
to this city Miss Ballantyne has made
over 5000 visits to over 600 families.
where she has given advice and in
struction in regard to baby care.
proper feeding. and has assisted to Sc
cure necessary medical and surgical
care for expectant mothers, tuberculo-
sis patients, crippled children, besides
teaching health topics to the school
children at the Macomber playground,
and carrying out the general educa-
tional prAgram Of the health associa-
ton. With offices at the city building
In the overseer of the poor department,
where much is accomplished in giving
care to the poor of the city, Miss Bal
lantyne finds her time well occupied.
Over lis babies in the north end
of the city are under her general
oversight. At clinics held weekly.
she is assisted by local physicians
who contribute their time, that these
children may be examined and
watched, in order that they may re-
ceive the proper kind of care. An
average of Is mothers with babies
are present at these clinics.
The detecting and reporting of
communicable diseases before they
become a danger to the person af-
fected and to others. forms one OF
the important jobs which Miss Bal
lantyne is called upon to do. When
such a case is discovered she reports
to the local health department so
that proper steps may be taken to
safeguard others.
Use Christmas Health Seals
All of this and much more is ac-
complished through the sale of those
little stamps which brighten the
Christmas mail and carry the slogan
"Merry Christmas and Good Health
A few stamps added to the various
Christmas parcels cause no great ad