Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 184, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 July 1920 — PEACE WORK of the RED CROSS [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PEACE WORK of the RED CROSS

ORD comes from WashTYT ington that the cities %/W/ and towns and rural v ▼ districts of the nation are waking up, looking themselves over,— ex--7 a mining the dark places, and deciding, almost all of them, that a vast amount of improvement is possible in both health and looks. And this awakening and stirring about is laid at the door of the American Red Cross. In other words the Red Cross has offered through its many channels to lend the cause a trained mind, a big heart and a strong generous hand. Reports just made by the national headquarters of the organization show that there are today 1,000 Red Cross chapters engaged In one or more forms of social and community activity included in the peace-time program of the society. Evidence of the increasing alertness of communities to their needs is found on all sides. They are recognizing protection and conservation of life, recreation. child welfare, community organization, sanitation, education, delinquency, Americanization and innumerable other problems as their very own, their most vital business. In the solution of these, they are being given the aid of the Red Cross “without stint or limit” wherever it will do the most good. War-time developments gave every community in the United States an organized and recognized center of activity through which the people can serve and Improve themselves. Such centers are the Red Cross chapters, scattered throughout the length and breadth of the nation. They are important and controlling factors in the peace plans of the American Red Cross. Each chapter being a local activity. all chapters are aware of existing conditions in their communities and are acquainted with what steps are necessary to improve the general welfare. Upon them rests the duty of offering some specialized service which may be' adapted to home-town needs, toward the solution of the perplexing problems which daily confront the home folks. No community and no

family is without them. These peace duties are outgrowths and continuations of the duties whieh came during the war. They, of course, receive the best attention of the Red Cross. But they in no way interfere with furnishing relief in disasters, carrying on foreign relief and finishing up the war Job. A community may have a very feeble sort of awakening. Does the Red Cross ignore the sign of life? Not at all. The Red Cross regards even a faint interest as too valuable to be neglected and attempts to offer the form of service suited to that community’s need. In one locality where 13 of the 22 chapters engaged in peacetime work have jurisdiction over the population of less than 10,000, It is interesting to note how the consciousness of .the smaller chapters is growing. One of them recently requested the privilege of showing its city how garbage can be handled in an economical and cleanly manner. In response to the request, a Red Cross worker visited the chapter, armed with public health pamphlets and with working plans for incinerators and other methods of disposal. A chapter in California which is active in the field of health and social welfare writes: - “We have decided Jo furnish milk in the public school for some marked cases of under-nourishment, some of them the result of influenza. During the month, we transported to the hospital 18 cases of influenza, aided in

eight family cases, and provided care for five old people suffering from tuberculosis. We also assisted in improving the welfare of seven old people, took care of a young boy .who was without work or funds and one runaway girl, placed three children under the care of the Juvenile court and placed two in a boarding house.” Reports from other localities Indicate a warm Red Cross Interest in community centers, clinics and other more concrete forms of social betterment. Activities of this kind differ, just as the needs which prompt them differ, each locality presenting curious types of problems. - There Is, however, one need which irrespective of locality is found to be prevalent everywhere—the need for health education. Ignorance is the underlying cause of the continued disaster of preventable disease and death that are undermining the vitality of the American people. Health education is the means by which this ignorance can be removed. tn recognizing this, the Red Cross is establishing health centers where Information and education will be offered and where the health workers of the community may be brought to work together. While only a few of ..the health centers have been put in operation by Red Cross chapters, there being at- the present time only about 75 tenters in the county, the activity is growing steadily. Within a few years it is expected the Red Cross health center will form as definite a part of the community’s institutions as the public school or library. Much depends on the interest of the people themselves. Then there is the Red Cross Nursing service. Nursing service obviously tends to improve health conditions and promote health interests. The total number of nurses enrolled in Red Cross Nursing service is 37.300; of these 105 are colored women. While during the war thousands %f applications were received from nurses, the enrollment has now resumed its pre-war status, the present monthly average being only about 125. This number falls far short of the demand, and in order to increase the supply, the Red Cross is daily bending its efforts in behalf of the recruiting of nurses. Of the 37.300 nurses, 531 are public health nurses serving under Red Cross chapters, and 124 serving in organizations affiliated with the Red Cross and under the supervision.

The work of the public health nurse Is,a real job. It takes her into Indian reservations, mining districts, mountain communities, lumber camps, and remote rural sections. The extent of the area covered may vary from a community of 30,000 inhabitants and small area, to county service which may cover 1,000 square miles and reach a population of only 5,000. With such varied districts the nurse has to be resourceful and keep her wits busy. Classes in Home Hygiene and Care of the Sick did not progress rapidly during the war. Why? Because war duties were paramount. But these classes are now increasing and meeting with promising response. Since theppganization of this activity in 1914, up to March of this year 11,221 such classeshave been held, the number of students who have completed the course, totaling 126,842. At present there are approximately 1,930 Instructors. There is also the bureau which alms to teach folks what is the best kind of food to put into their stomachs. It is known as Dietitians’ Service, and has enlarged its field to include among its activities nutrition classes and clinics and the placing of nutrition advisors whose work varies according to the needs of different communities. The first aid work of the Red Cross furnishes instruction in accident prevention to employees In industries throughout the country and provides instruction in swimming and life saving to thousands of men, women- and children. Many classes in the principles of first aid have been organized among the city police and fire departments, In the schools and in Business concerns. The Junior Red Cross interprets the Red Cross foreign relief program and its work in this country to school people and youngsters, and is now reaching over half of the school children In America. Fourteen of the 23,000,000 are enrolled in its membership. One hundred and eighty-six thousand teachers are serving as leaders of Junior Red Cross clubs in the 21,960 Junior Red Cross school auxiliaries. While their outstanding service is in answer to the humanitarian appeal of the suffering childhood of devastated foreign countries, their interest in service at home is equally keen. By means of the educational program supplied to thousands of schools by the Junior Red Cross, various educational courses, such as first aid are to the children. , 7a