Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-13

ActlUe In K
f~1HE richest nation in tn
picture of the United S
ES77S owns an automobile. F
2k American Red Cross, I
In the country, gives a differe
human service within tho borders
porous land.
Norman B. Harris Chairman Of Il
Committee Of tho National Fratern
before tho last session Of that boo
thentdc statistical data showing Il
people In tho United States are sick
that !, $50 900 people died last
year In this country from
sickness: while 1877. 900 chill
dren died under one year Of
age: that an told, the nation
q economic loxs from sick
mass and death In 1924 prob
ebly reached I'VE billion dol
lR1
BY other sources, It has
been estimated that Is per
cent Of tho nations school
children arc suffering from E
phySical defects which IN gen
sral are serious enough to
retafd both their physical de-
velnpment and their progress
In school
figures such g these indf
cate that there Is need for
something to Do done The
Public Health Service esti-
mates that It would require $50.
100000 to provide for adequate
rural health service throughout the
United States but that this expendi-
turs would save q billion dollars
annually. based on cost OF prevent
xble illness, loss Of earnings, and
value Of human life.
Tho American Red Cross contrib
utes towards meeting this vital need
Ay maintaining throughout the
country, a stan Of more than 1876
Red Cross Public Health Nurses.
Stationed In communities all over
tho country they care for tho sick.
assist in disease prevention, and
teach adults and children alike the
fundamentals Of health. Periodic
Inspections Of school children by
these nurses reduce the danger OF
epidemics, and detect physical de-
fects in children which. with
prompt treatment, often prevent
moro serious ailments Statistically
these nurses made moro than a mil
lion visits to homes during the LAST
year, in carrying out their mission
Of hsalkh. Among other services
they instructed approximately IS.
900 women and girls in homo by
giens and other subjects affecting
health in the home. To maintain
this service. the National Head
auartsrs Of the American Rec
Cross and local Chapters together
expended . total Of 1911, 900 on Pub
Lie Health nursing, and total o.
$4,000 on Home Hygiene ant
Care Of the Sick services, from July
!. 1915, to Juno 80, this year. Thu
value in improved health. and pre-
vsntable suffering to tho communi
ties thus served, can readily be esti
mated
Nurses Prove Value
Besides the continuing task o
axhtinx disease and developing
public health, the Red Cross meet
The liability to sudden amergenc.
duty BY maintaining an enrolle'
nursing reserve Of 43,s76 Red Croe
nurses, Who may be called on TO
services in the disasters which 3
suddenly strike the country, Will
acting a. Q reserve for the Arm,
Nurse Corps, the Navy and o. s
Public Health Service. During tn
hours following tho explosion Q
the Navy Arsenal near Dover, n
]. last July, . detachment Of Re-
Cross nurses hurriedly assembled
established IN emergency hospita
In which So injured received treal
menk aftsr being brought from tn
danger xunA
The mowiedge that there Is
SURPRISINGLY large percentage Q
unAernourtahed school children
and even adults, in the Unite'
States, furnishes the Red Cross an
other opportunity for, . contribu
ton to national health and vel
bstng. Realizing that this condi
ton Il not always due to poverty
hut In many cases to . lack Of IN