Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 312, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 January 1918 — What Can We Do? [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

What Can We Do?

The yoman’s bureau of the American Red Cross has issued a very helpful leaflet for the benefit of those who are willing to sew for hospitals. Under the head of “Hospital Garments and Supplies” this circular enumerates the various kinds of garments and hospital linen that are needed, and tabulates the ratio of these needs—that is tells what things are needed in large quantities and what in smaller quantities. The Red Cross gathered its information first hand from American and French hospitals, co-operating with the Red Cross commission in Baris. It seems that the needs of American and French hospitals vary a little, but not in many particulars. The circular says: “Anticipating the severe cold of the winter in France, the report emphasizes the need of warm materials, such as outing flannels, heavy bath robing, etc., for hospital garments. Models for garments were sent to the woman’s bureau by the committee in Paris and were given to the standard pattern companies, which agreed to issue patterns in strict conformity with them, so that the woman who wishes to make any of the needed garments may get a correct pattern from any one of the prominent ' pattern companies. The garments which will probably be needed in largest quantities are pajamas and hospital bed shirts. Pajamas should be made of flannel or good outing flannel, for winter use. The patterns for all garments are issued in two sizes, medium and large. “For American hospitals two medium-sized garments should be made to every one of large size; for French hospitals, no large sized are needed.” The same kind of garments and other articles are wanted by both American and French hospitals.

When making pajamas for French hospitals select dark colors, those for American hospitals may be made in either dark or lights colors. Patterns for the following articles are now ready: Pajamas—For winter: Use flannel or outing flannel. , Hospital Bed Shirts—For winter: Use Canton flannel or twill, good quality. v ~ ~ ■ Bath Robes and Convalescent Robes —For winter: Use heavy bath robing. Bed Jackets —Use bath robing or other warm, soft material. Convalescent Suits (lined pajamas) —Use outing flannel of dark, plain color for outside and white for lining. Blue lined with* white, with which a red tie can be worn especially desirable. Bed Socks —Use flannel or outing flannel. , Undershirts —Use lightweight flannel or flannelette in white. Underdrawers —Use w'hite outing flannel or unbleached muslin. Bandaged, Foot Socks —Use outing flannel, preferably .dark, lined with white. Specific directions for packing and shipping boxes containing garments 'and hospital supplies will be given in a future article. These boxes are to be shipped to chapters or division supply depots of the Red Cross. When possible each box shipped should be filled with only one kind of garments or supplies, Decide’Upon the kind of garment or garments you are willing to make and specialize on these; by confining yourself to one or two garments you can become expert in making them -and also build up a fine record of contributions. Pajamas and bed socks are a good combination.