Chapter IV: Part 4

The patients arrive about 9 a. m., and are given a lunch of milk and eggs. After having their temperature and pulse taken they wander out under the trees, where the hammocks and reclining chairs are found. Here they stay reading and sleeping till noon, when a hot dinner is served. This consists of meat, potatoes, one vegetable, milk, bread and butter, and a dessert, usually made of milk and eggs. After an hour’s rest the children generally play croquet or visit the spring in the woods. Lately they have been much interested in seven puppies found in the woods. Of course they have been promptly adopted. A setting hen is also a member of the family. Another lunch of milk and eggs is served at 4, the afternoon temperatures recorded, the car tickets given out, and preparations made to “break camp” at 5.30 p. m. The Camp is ideally situated among the trees high up behind the new Municipal Hospital. On the list to-day there are 19 patients—5 white men, 3 white women, 2 white boys, 5 colored men, 1 colored woman, and 3 colored children. Of the cases thus far treated 2 have been discharged cured, 3 improved and continue the out-door treatment in the country, 7 have been transferred to the hospital, 3 have died, and 9 are at home, either at work or unable to attend, thus giving a total of 43 patients admitted, with an average attendance of 14. Of the patients now on the list 9 are making constant progress, and 10 are holding their own. We feel sure that though the camp has hardly as yet made a beginning, yet the results thus far justify its continuance. The camp life is educational as well as beneficial. Fresh air, cleanliness and carefulness are constantly being taught, and each patient becomes a little center to spread the knowledge of the cause and prevention of tuberculosis. Now that it is started the District of Columbia cannot afford to be without its Red Cross Day Camp.

INDIANA

By ROWLAND EVANS, Secretary Indiana Branch American Red Cross.

“Whether tuberculosis will be finally eradicated is even an open question. It is a foe that is very deeply intrenched in the human race. Very hard it will be to eradicate completely, but when we think of what has been done in one generation, how the mortality in many places has been reduced more than 50 per cent., indeed, in some places 100 per cent., it is a battle of hope, and so long as we are fighting with hope the victory is in sight.”—Dr. William Osler.

The Indiana Branch realized $3,851.58 from the sale of Christmas stamps. To dispose of this fund to best advantage in anti-tuberculosis work, the Executive Committee early in February appointed as a sub-committee, with power to act: Dr. Frederick A. R. Tucker, of Noblesville, president of the State Board of Health; Rev. Francis H. Gavisk and James W. Lilly. After providing specific relief in four curable cases, it was found that the greatest good could be accomplished by enlisting local co-operation in the practical work of relief.

The Indianapolis Board of Health, through its health officer and secretary, Dr. Eugene Buehler, had recently established free clinics at the City Dispensary and Bobbs’ Free Dispensary, and had begun a campaign of publicity, advertising its clinics and carding groceries and meat markets, which were raised to a better sanitary standard, and in various ways, by visitation and distribution of pure food and medicines, surrounding patients at their homes with better hygienic conditions. The need for facilities to isolate and treat curable cases with the necessary fresh air and sunshine resulted in the establishment of a colony of cottages on the City Hospital grounds, the Indiana Branch furnishing the first four—two single and two double cottages. As soon as this became known the Second Presbyterian and St. John’s Catholic churches and private individuals arranged to donate others, until there are now on the grounds eleven cottages. The single cottages cost complete, $62, size 10 × 12; double cottages, 10 × 16, $80. The specifications are:

House, 10 × 16 feet, with concrete foundation under house and porch; foundation to be 6 inches high. Siding to be tongued and grooved drop-siding; framing material to be 2 × 4 placed flatwise 30 inches on centers; flooring and roof material to be tongued and grooved. Hip-roof on main building and shed roof on porch. Porch to be 6 feet wide, with square posts and small rail. Four windows, 35 × 35, with canvas tacked on frame hinged at top. Three windows, 18 × 35, with canvas tacked on frame hinged at top. One glass door to be placed in each single and two in each double house. All lumber to be dressed on both sides and to receive two coats of paint inside and out, color to be selected by owner. Two-ply rubberoid roofing to be placed on roof. Price for cottages outside Indianapolis same, with freight added.

A cottage was also erected, partly through funds provided by the Indiana Branch, to be used in connection with the colony for dining room and kitchen to prepare food for patients and quarters for nurses and cook. This cottage has sewer connection, hot and cold water and sanitary plumbing. Patients’ cottages have electric call bells to summon the nurse, and electric lights are supplied from the City Hospital plant. A bath house is now being erected, providing separate bath rooms for male and female patients.

Adjoining the City Hospital grounds the Flower Mission—a private charity partially supported by public funds—maintains a hospital for incurables. It is the only place in the State where hopeless cases are received. The Flower Mission nurses also minister to the relief of tuberculosis patients at their homes. The branch donated $500 to the furtherance of this work.

The plan inaugurated at Indianapolis under Dr. Buehler’s management contemplates (1) extension of facilities of the colony system to include and care for every offered curable case; (2) minimizing the danger of contagion and infection from chronic or incurable cases by isolation where practicable, or else supervizing the home conditions so as to surround the patient with hygienic comforts, pure food and drugs, and lessen the danger of infection to other members of the household. Both parts of the work are well under way and as fast as funds will permit the work will be extended.

The sub-committee, under the direction of Dr. Tucker, secured like co-operation of local authorities elsewhere in the State, and cottages have been erected as follows: Four in South Bend, four in Terre Haute, six in Evansville, three in Lafayette, and negotiations are pending for supplying Richmond, Fort Wayne, New Albany, Frankfort and Huntington. The branch erects the cottages and the local authorities maintain them. In every case it has proven an effective stimulus to local aid by the municipality and private charity.

NEW YORK

_Ferryboat for Red Cross._

Miss Mary Harriman, eldest daughter of E. H. Harriman, has taken one of her father’s Erie ferryboats and turned it into a man-o’-peace to fight tuberculosis. She has presented the boat to the Brooklyn Committee on the Prevention of Tuberculosis and the Brooklyn Red Cross Society.

It will go into commission as a part of the Red Cross Navy on July 1, when its flag will fly over an anchorage off Brooklyn.

Hammocks, steamer chairs, and other conveniences of out-in-the-air sleeping will be arranged for the accommodation of 300 men, women and children. Three meals a day will be served on the boat.

_Resolution of the International Association of Accident Underwriters._

Mr. A. E. Forrest, president of the North American Accident Insurance Company of Chicago, presented the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

_Resolved_, That the International Association of Accident
Underwriters, in convention assembled, herewith voices its
profound admiration for the magnificent work of the American
National Red Cross in its efforts for the relief of suffering
and distressed humanity and for the prevention of disease;

_Resolved_, That we extend to the officers and members of
the American National Red Cross our heartfelt co-operation,
and earnestly recommend that not only the companies and
associations, members of this association, but that all
branches of insurance interests will, so far as lies in their
power, promote its humane labors by a liberal use of the Red
Cross Christmas stamps;

_Resolved_, That the thanks of this convention are herewith
tendered to Miss Mabel T. Boardman, a noble woman, whose ardent
labors in the cause of humanity sheds such bright lustre upon
American womanhood, for the charming compliment which her
letter addressed to this association so graciously conveys; be
it further

_Resolved_, That the thanks of this convention are herewith
tendered to Mr. Max Cohen, editor of _Views_, Washington,
D. C., for embodying this appeal from one of the greatest
instrumentalities for a higher and finer civilization in
his interesting and instructive address pertaining to the
presentation by this association of its George E. McNeill medal
in rewarding acts of heroism in the saving of human life.

WHAT THE CHRISTMAS STAMP IS DOING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

By GEORGE B. LEIGHTON.

New Hampshire is a small State, but its people have the same interest in advancing the methods of living and the same desire to be abreast of the times that people of other States have. The motives which govern its people are as high minded as in any other State, and a great deal that has been said in regard to the political shortcomings of the State are not in accordance with the facts. The people of New Hampshire became interested in the Christmas stamp idea, and, so far as they were able, have seemingly accomplished a good deal to be proud of. The New Hampshire Federation of Women’s Clubs, through the then president, Mrs. Lorin Webster, took a deep interest in the Christmas stamp campaign of last December, and largely through their efforts we had in bank something over $1,300. Naturally, many people who had helped in selling the stamps felt that they should have a part of the funds for particular cases of tuberculosis in which they were interested, but the officers of the Red Cross took the position that these funds were to be used for general rather than for special work, believing that in the end more good would be accomplished. As there are no tuberculosis societies in the State of any prominence, although one exists in name, we decided to spend this money on rather new lines. We believed that the way to exterminate a disease was to prevent, so far as possible, new cases. To accomplish this end a poster was prepared, which is indicated in the cut, and it has been very generally circulated through the State, being placed in all schools, mills, railway stations and places of public meeting. In the distribution of this poster the Women’s Clubs assisted materially. All together, some 8,000 of these posters have been distributed and requests are coming in continually for additional copies. The poster states in concise language three conspicuous factors or conditions in the campaign against tuberculosis, that the disease is contagious, that it is curable, and that it is preventable. The Boston & Maine Railroad, which operates practically the entire railway mileage in New Hampshire, has taken a deep interest in this matter in that they have placed the placards in all of their stations and have instructed their agents to see that they are not defaced or removed. This assistance has been most helpful. The railway even went further and placed the placards in its stations in other States, for it has a considerable mileage in Massachusetts, Vermont and Maine. The result of this has been that numerous requests have been received from Massachusetts, from people interested in the tuberculosis campaign, for those posters, as they have seen them in the other States. The people in the good commonwealth of Massachusetts have been obliged to confess that they have had to come to New Hampshire for a very important suggestion in this work. The more the writer familiarizes himself with the tuberculosis campaign the more he is impressed that if the disease can be eliminated it must be done by informing practically every citizen of the State how to avoid contracting it, and we believe that what we have accomplished by this poster has been or will prove to be successful.

The superintendent of public instruction in our State, Mr. Morrison, grasped the idea of the importance of this poster early in the campaign, and he prepared a letter to all his subordinates directing them to place the poster in the schools and to see that attention was directed to them by the teachers. Again, Rev. R. E. Thompson, head of the New Hampshire Sunday School organization, felt the importance of this work, and he, too, prepared a circular letter to be sent to 600 superintendents and teachers in the State requesting them to put a placard in all Sunday Schools and direct attention to it. Copies of the poster were sent to the different granges throughout the State. The posters have been printed on cardboard, measuring 19 × 12½, and they cost, with envelopes, about a cent a piece.

In addition to this form of publicity the New Hampshire Branch has prepared two bulletins, one being a reprint of Rev. Elwood Worcester’s article which appeared in the _Ladies’ Home Journal_ for March, 1900, on the class method of treating tuberculosis. This has been circulated gratuitously throughout the State. The conditions seem to be such in our State that in a good many communities the class method ought to accomplish much. Again, we prepared as Bulletin No. 3 an article issued by the Boston Association for the Relief and Control of Tuberculosis, which treats in a very simple manner of the essentials of right living and clean living. This bulletin is also being distributed gratuitously.

So much as indicating how the campaign has been carried on through the assistance of printer’s ink, but we have in addition secured the services of Mrs. Duryea, whose duties are to go about the State and tell of the class method of treating tuberculosis. The method of procedure is that she communicate with the officers of the local Women’s Club, some of the medical men and other prominent citizens, to the end that a meeting will be arranged, and at this meeting she tells of what has been done in Boston at the Massachusetts General Hospital in curing those afflicted with the disease.

We have found, regrettably, that the doctors in some of the smaller communities have not sufficiently studied the apprehension of the disease in its early stages. The State Board of Health has recognized this and is endeavoring to bring before the profession means and suggestions so that all of its members may have the latest word on this subject. The State of New Hampshire has directed, and is about to open for the treatment of patients, a sanitarium situated in the northern central section of the State, but this sanitarium will accommodate very few cases, and for this reason our campaign has been largely to interesting communities in establishing tuberculosis classes.

The death rate from tuberculosis in New Hampshire has decreased materially in the last ten years. It has dropped from considerably over 1 death per 1,000 of population to less than 1 death per 1,000 of population. A study of the report of the State Board of Health shows that the death-rate is higher in proportion to the population in that part of the State nearest the sea than it is in the western or Connecticut valley district.

We feel that we can not as yet consider our work anything more than begun. It is a campaign of education, and when considered from this point of view we feel that we have accomplished a great deal. Unquestionably, a very much larger number of citizens know certain things about tuberculosis than they did six months or a year ago. Everybody must know these facts before the work of publicity is fully accomplished.

We have made an open offer of financial assistance to any tuberculosis class or summer camp that is established, and in the coming years a much larger amount of money can be distributed in this way.

RED CROSS NURSES’ DEPARTMENT

_Miss Delano’s Appointment._

The Red Cross can not fail to be greatly pleased by the following announcement:

Miss Jane A. Delano, of New York, has been appointed Superintendent of the Army Nurse Corps. Miss Delano was formerly Superintendent of Nurses at the Bellevue Hospital in New York, and is President of the National Association of Nurses. It is probable that an attempt will be made at the next session of Congress to enlarge and organize the Army Nurse Corps.

Miss Delano has long been deeply interested in the Red Cross and has been for some time a member of the New York State Branch Committee on Nurses. She will be appointed a member of the Red Cross War Relief Board and be made the Chairman of its Subcommittee on Nurses. By this arrangement the whole system of the Regular Army Nursing Corps and Red Cross Nursing Corps will be placed under one head, so that in case of war the plans for Red Cross nursing assistance will fall into complete accord with the demands of the Army Medical Service. Miss Delano will, therefore, be not only fully advised as to the regular nursing strength of the Army Corps, but will know exactly the status of the volunteer aid of the Red Cross Nursing Corps.

At the annual meeting of the Federation of Nurses, held last June at Minneapolis, a resolution was passed that the Alumnæ Association of Trained Nurses of the United States affiliate with the Red Cross according to the plan outlined by the War Relief Board. This plan provides for a Subcommittee on Nurses of the War Relief Board, the committee of fifteen to consist of a Chairman, who is to be a trained nurse, two other trained nurses, an Army surgeon, and a Navy surgeon, and one other person, all members of the War Relief Board, six trained nurses selected from a list submitted by the Nurses’ Alumnæ Association, and three other persons, all to be appointed by the Chairman of the War Relief Board.

CALIFORNIA.

The lectures of the Nurses’ Auxiliary of the California Branch, of which Mrs. L. L. Dunbar, President of the Children’s Hospital, is Chairman, and Miss Frances S. Hershey, Secretary, have continued uninterruptedly. Miss Katherine Brown, Superintendent of Nurses at the Children’s Hospital, and Miss Killiam have been very active in this work, as well as Miss Eisel and Miss McCarthy. The lectures at the Heynemann Overall and Shirt Factory, at the noon hour, have proven very interesting and profitable, both to lecturer and the class. They have found the work mutually enjoyable. This auxiliary has also undertaken a course of lectures at the request of the Young Women’s Christian Association. Notices of these lectures have been posted in the retiring rooms of the large department stores. The Branch is planning courses in home nursing and hygiene for the Chinese women of the city of San Francisco.

PENNSYLVANIA.

_Work of a Red Cross Nurse._

PHILADELPHIA, July 30, 1909.

Captain JOHN S. MUCKLE, _President, Pennsylvania Branch,
American National Red Cross_.

I have the honor, in compliance with your request, to hand you
the following report in reference to my aid to the injured at
the collapsed building at the northeast corner of Eleventh and
Market streets, Philadelphia, on Thursday afternoon, July 15,
1909:

I was walking west on the north side of Market street, between
Tenth and Eleventh streets, about 1 o’clock, with my mother,
Mrs. D. S. Baxter, when I heard a terrific crash, followed by
clouds of dust. I left my mother standing on the sidewalk and
ran in the direction of the disaster, and on my way left my
hat in the saloon of the Bingham House, southeast corner of
Eleventh and Market streets, and then ran over to the collapsed
building and saw two injured women being taken away to a
hospital from the sidewalk in an automobile. As I entered the
ruins I was stopped by a city policeman, and stated to him that
I was a Red Cross nurse, and the officer immediately let me
pass into the collapsed building. I found a projecting joist,
which I hung on to and dropped into the cellar, where I saw
two men; one was already dead, and the other, H. W. Fickis, I
called to and he answered. By this time a police officer and
a doctor of medicine joined me, and we three tried to remove
the above two, but found it impossible. I then turned to help
others, and succeeded in bringing one, Martin L. Lewis, to the
surface, and stuffed my handkerchief into the cut in his head
and took him to the Hahneman Hospital in a patrol wagon; then
returned to the building and continued removing those I found,
James Haggerty, Thomas Devine, Peter Nelson, and James Noble,
dressed their wounds, and sent one, James Haggerty, to the
Hahneman Hospital, and the others to Medico Chi Hospital, in a
patrol wagon. By this time they had removed the man I had seen
in the cellar, H. W. Fickis, put him in the patrol wagon, and
I dressed his wounds and took him to the Hahneman Hospital.
My last injured man, Albert Creen, I sent to the Jefferson
Hospital in a patrol wagon. In dressing the wounded I used my
handkerchief and underskirt, and when these gave out used the
bandages I found in the patrol wagon. After I had taken and
sent about twenty-two injured to the hospitals, and the dead,
six, were removed, I returned to the collapsed building and
helped the firemen and police officers and workmen who were
cleaning up the debris, as they were alone, no one having
remained to help them. I stayed in the collapsed building until
the very last person had been removed. Through the courtesy and
kindness of Mr. George W. B. Hicks, Mayor’s statistician, I was
taken home in his automobile late that night. I hand you a copy
of a letter from Hon. John E. Reyburn, Mayor of Philadelphia.

Very truly, yours,

MARGARET B. SIMON,
_American National Red Cross Nurse No. 604_.

OFFICE OF THE MAYOR,
PHILADELPHIA, July 15th, 1909.

Mrs. MARGARET B. SIMON, _Philadelphia, Pa._

MY DEAR MRS. SIMON: In a report of the terrible accident at
Eleventh and Market streets this afternoon when a building of
the United Gas Improvement Company collapsed, imprisoning in
a mass of wreckage a large number of people, special mention
is made of your heroic action in offering early aid to those
seriously injured.

The Red Cross badge justifying your membership in a great
organization gained you immediate entrance to the heart of
the disaster, and all agree in saying that you proved by your
splendid work and helpful sympathy your right to be considered
an honor to the great order.

I think it due to you that public recognition should be made of
your brave and successful work in a time of extreme excitement
and danger; grateful for this new reason to be proved not only
of the Red Cross but of the women of Philadelphia.

I am, yours, very truly,

JOHN E. REYBURN,
_Mayor of Philadelphia_.

_Letter from President of the Red Cross._

THE WHITE HOUSE, WASHINGTON, August 5, 1909.

Mrs. MARGARET B. SIMON, _Louden and Camac streets,
Philadelphia, Pa._

DEAR MRS. SIMON: Through the President of the Pennsylvania
Red Cross Branch I have learned of your brave and helpful
action on July 15, at the time of the serious accident caused
by the collapse of a building in the city of Philadelphia. As
President of the American Red Cross permit me to express to
you its sincere appreciation of the services you gave in the
capacity of Red Cross nurse in rendering first aid to so many
of the victims and at so much risk to your own life.

The knowledge that the society has enrolled so courageous,
faithful and valuable a nurse as yourself is a great
satisfaction to its officers and an inspiration to its nursing
corps.

Sincerely yours,

WM. H. TAFT.

_Reunion Program._

Following is the program of the First Annual Reunion of the nurses enrolled in the Pennsylvania Branch of the American National Red Cross at Philadelphia, September 18 to September 25, 1909:

Saturday, September 18—Reunion.

Sunday, September 19—Attend service at Christ Church (11 a. m.).

Monday, September 20—Call on the Hon. John E. Reyburn, mayor of Philadelphia, at the City Hall (12 noon). Afternoon, visit places of interest, institutions, etc.

Tuesday, September 21—Visit Philadelphia hospitals. Afternoon, visit places of interest, institutions, etc. Evening, Keith’s Theatre, as the guests of Mr. B. F. Keith, through the courtesy of Mr. H. T. Jordan.

Wednesday, September 22—Visit Philadelphia County Prison, Tenth and Reed streets (morning), and Eastern Penitentiary (afternoon). Evening, reception given to the nurses by the “Colonial,” at Logan, Pa.

Thursday, September 23—Trip on the river. Assemble at Race street wharf at 2 p. m. (A boat has been placed at our disposal through the courtesy of the Hon. Henry Clay, director of public safety of the city of Philadelphia.)

Friday, September 24—Call on Mrs. John S. Muckle, wife of the President of the Pennsylvania Branch, at her summer home “Windrush,” in Germantown. Train leaves North Philadelphia Station 12.26 p. m. for Queen Lane Station.

Saturday, September 25—“Atlantic City.” Train leaves Broad Street Station at 9.40 a. m.

FIRST AID DEPARTMENT

CALIFORNIA

_The Red Cross and the Dragon._

BY WILLIAM LATHROP MCCLURE.

Going to the smart new office building of the Canton Bank, passing shops filled with the weird and bizarre merchandise of the Orient, passing blouse-clad forms shuffling by on heelless boat-shaped sandals—truly, I think, this cannot be the old Chinese quarter of San Francisco. These are clean streets, these buildings are handsome, this public school is of concrete faced with bright blue tiles and filled with smiling little Chinese men and women. Sanitary? Yes, but still picturesque. Soon this ancient race will weave exotic mystery and charm about steel-girdered walls and balconies will bulge with great globular lanterns of oiled paper swinging in the wind. For some days to come Chinese ladies with “lily feet” will look down over their tulips upon the crowded street, and wish for the Good Lady Festival that they may wear their brocade and gold abroad, even as “other” women.

But the old order changeth. New China does not brook the “cycle of Cathay.” And here, in the Canton Bank Building, under the wing of the American National Red Cross, has grown a flourishing offshoot of the Grand Legion of the Red Cross, of the California Branch, that has, in the vernacular of the street, “made good.” For a while—a short while—it was contented to be one detachment: then it became a twin; now its membership has reached about the hundredth mark, with supporting members. We watch this changeling with surprise. It needs no nursing.

Saturday evening, March 27, 1909, saw the hall of the Chinese Presbyterian Church so crowded that a burly policeman had the doubtful pleasure of turning away visitors of both races. Inside was filled with merchants and their families—the men on one side, the women and children on the other. The Consul, in a robe of biscuit brocade, followed by his suite, entered and aroused the interested glances of Caucasian and Oriental alike. Like flowers, bloomed from the dark blue background of the bloused and trousered women, a parterre of babies in cap and gown of purple, blue and rose. Tiny ques and tiny sandals, smiling faces, and not a whimper the long evening through.

Under the guidance and by the gracious courtesy of Donaldine Cameron, a noble friend of Chinese womanhood, a choir of Chinese young ladies sang the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Later the audience rose to the “Star Spangled Banner,” most beautifully rendered by Miss Wong in a clear mezzo-soprano. The program—partly interpreted by Mr. Wong, partly in Chinese—closed in a glory of flashlight, the sudden burst raising pandemonium among the baby choir, who were “velly much ’flaid.” A small dog smuggled in under the blouse of Lee Ching, a real boy, supplied the necessary bass for the tiny Celestial singers.

Organized by Dr. G. H. Richardson and the writer, the welfare of this successful detachment has been splendidly nourished by Dr. Mark Neumann, the Medical Director. From occupying the “parlors” of the Chinese Native Sons of the Golden State, its members became ambitious to have quarters of their own. Dr. Neumann donated his waiting room. On one wall hangs the Dragon and the Stars and Stripes about a Red Cross on a field of white. On another the portrait of President Taft; on the third, beautifully written in Chinese characters, the By-laws of the Legion and the Proposed Women’s Auxiliary. Often a silk-trousered Chinese lady, with polished hair ornamented by fine workmanship of jade and gold, sits before these by-laws studying them seriously, beginning at the upper right hand corner and reading downward.

Most remarkable will be the evolution of a Women’s Auxiliary to the Red Cross Legion; most remarkable to those best acquainted with Chinese life and character. It is an emergence from sheltered living, a setting aside of a custom scarce permitting a Chinese young lady to appear upon the street. One does not even talk to a Chinese gentleman about his household. But there is a precedent. Chinese ladies are going about the streets of the great ports of New China obeying the calls of humanity and the voice of recent ideals of social development and service. For China has a Red Cross.

A Chinese merchant rarely calls upon a male physician for his family, but an up-to-date woman physician is welcome in the families of the educated. Favorable as is one’s impression of the prosperity, intelligence and generosity of our Chinese friends; the advantages of enlightened medical knowledge and sanitary science among them in San Francisco, not to mention the vast interior of the Chinese Empire itself, cannot be overestimated.

It is one of the functions of the Red Cross to create and foster enduring friendship between nations. War is often the instrument of passion rather than equity. Whether war is eternal or not the function of the Red Cross is to be neutral and to heal. With acquaintance comes understanding. We have our superstitions regarding the Chinese; they have theirs regarding us. Beyond the Pacific the pulse of a mighty nation is quickening, and through the Golden Gate the young Chinese will soon be lured by opportunity to the Flowery Kingdom. Nor will they go as student, tourist or commercial man alone. Slow, indeed, will be the opening of the vast interior. The intelligently trained Mongolian is a great organizer and China’s metropolitan progress will be swift. Since the fire the evolution of the Chinese quarter has been marvelous. Some undesirable conditions still exist, but measuring by these only heightens the achievement of the progressive.

Across the Western seas New China wakes from sleep,
And hearts of exiled sons in filial answer leap;
Her sons with quickened pulse of other lands,
Shall hold the mother’s future in their hands.

We may not flatter yet that we have done our part,
We may not now forget the foes at China’s heart.
She asks our friendship now, the same she had of old,
That she may hold secure her crown of jade and gold.

Our neighbor, separate only by the restless sea,
Yet linked by ships, the birds of commerce, bold and free;
Let us not fail the higher duty, man to man,
Which lights the world and thus reveals the master plan.

_Additional Notes._

The practical value of First Aid instructions as instrumental in saving life was demonstrated by Lee Wong, a member of the Chinese Detachment, First Legion, State of California, who applied continuous pressure upon the artery of a man wounded by a knife until the arrival of a physician.

Mr. Tinyut Lee, an active member of the Chinese Detachment, who made a remarkable record for the sale of Christmas and New Year stamps in the Chinese Colony, promised to excel that achievement by 800 per cent. As the colony has had no theatre since the fire rendered 23,000 Chinese homeless, this resourceful detachment hired the Oriental Theater, a clean moving-picture resort in the heart of the quarter, to swell its bank account. This benefit, with 5 cent tickets, netted $40. The Detachment has paid into the California Branch treasury $87. It is now contemplating a Red Cross Hospital, and plans are being prepared for a home nursing course for Chinese young women.

Members of the Columbia Park Boys’ Club Detachment, who did not accompany that organization to Australia, were equipped with a first-aid outfit for their summer outing at Cloverdale.

Dr. G. H. Richardson, Field Agent of the California State Branch, has completed his course of lectures to the Merchant Marine on First Aid. His important work has been highly appreciated and a movement to repeat them at many ports is advocated. This is pioneer work for the Red Cross among sailors and Dr. Richardson is to be congratulated on his faithful and disinterested service. The masters, mates and pilots of Lodge Harbor 15, before whom he has been lecturing, have placed upon record their appreciation of his efforts in their behalf.

ILLINOIS

I have the honor to submit the following data about the organization and equipment of the Illinois First-Aid Corps of the Red Cross:

The Illinois organization was officially born January 11, 1909—that is to say, less than five months ago. On that day the reporter was appointed Director-in-chief of the Illinois units to be organized. Within a few days after the Illinois Branch was handed about forty applications as a nucleus.

These new members who joined the American National Red Cross, and at the same time the First Relief Column, were not gathered in a few days, but represented a loyal band of men and women who had joined in 1908 an independent, private first-aid corps under my command.

All the officers were fully uniformed, practically in accordance with army regulations. The fact, however, that the Relief Column officers have no distinctly military rank and that the regulations in Major Lynch’s text-book would compel them to remove the coat-of-arms from the cap, the buttons, and the insignia of rank from the straps; possibly, also, to lay aside their sidearms (there being no mention of sidearms) produced such intense opposition that for a time I feared not a single one with whom I had been associated in our attempt to raise a first-aid brigade would remain with me. And for one man to do all the work and to look for congenial co-workers all over again appeared a Herculean task. It was then that I submitted in writing certain propositions to Mr. Ravell, Secretary of the Illinois Branch, who agreed to place them before the Central Committee at Washington. On his return from Washington last December I was advised that we could retain the caps and adopt more suitable collar insignia, so that there remained but one objection, viz, lack of military rank for the officers.

However, with the objected-to features of the uniform overcome, I assured the officers that if they would go to work and aid me in the organization so that we could show the American people that we have the personnel, if not the material equipment, I would do all in my power to induce the authorities to grant us a certain status, which, though not equivalent to that enjoyed by the National Guard, would still mean more than empty titles beautifully engrossed in “commissions” signed by a few private citizens. This had the desired effect. Immediately after my appointment I called them together and delivered an impassioned address. I pointed out to them the seriousness of the step, the great responsibility it involves, the sacredness of the work to be done and the honor and prestige that is to be ours if we succeed. I made them pledge to observe the strictest possible discipline, to obey implicitly, and to respond to any call issued by the proper authorities.

A week later all our former members, new friends, patients of mine—in short, any one who could be reached—were called to attend a meeting in the parlor of a large hostelry, and the work of organization was begun in earnest.

For about two months bi-weekly lectures were delivered at hotel parlors. An independent detachment which had been associated with a fraternal organization was induced to join our column as a body. We agreed to accept them without the Legion dues by merely paying for membership in the Red Cross. The evening that body of young men in uniform entered the lecture hall in military order new life was infused, especially among the male members. I was repeatedly besieged by them with the request to supply them with uniforms and to take them to some place where they could learn how to march, carry litters, transport patients, etc.

I promised them all these things for the near future. As I am myself living in moderate circumstances, and as our Legion dues of $1 per annum (we had to make the dues low to enable the poorest working man and working woman to join) were not sufficient to pay for the most urgent needs, I presented myself to our Chairman of the Executive Committee, Dr. L. L. McArthur, and laid the matter before him. He finally consented to our appealing to certain private citizens when I was supported in my contentions by the Secretary and by Colonel Gordon C. Strong, I. N. G., a member of the Executive Committee, and a gentleman, by the way, to whom we are indebted for many services rendered the organization and your reporter.

At a meeting of the Executive Committee Mr. J. Spoor, president of the Union Stock Yards, promised to fully equip a detachment of 22 men recruited in the yards. He not only paid for 22 uniforms, but equipped that detachment with hospital pouches, canteens, litters, and a national flag.

Four detachments were completed by this time. The day a fifth one was completed I recommended to the committee that the entire command be officially declared as the “First Illinois Legion,” for there were then already indications that detachments would soon be organized in other cities in Illinois, and, in fact, detachments will be completed in the near future in Springfield, Joliet and Decatur, all depending on the writer’s ability to go to these towns and perfect the details. Our aim is not only to raise the full quota for this Legion, but to have in Chicago two legions and a third one distributed through the State.

At about the same time Colonel Strong induced Captain Maurice Woolman, commanding Battery B, Illinois National Guard, to let us have his armory at the cost of expense ($15 monthly). We occupy that armory every Thursday evening. Captain Woolman was so pleased with our men, who began drilling in civilian suits, that he consented to act as military instructor to the First Legion, and since has attended every drill and instructed the officers in infantry tactics.

But the most important thing had yet to be done. We had to secure uniforms to enable the men to participate in the Memorial Day parade. I interviewed the Hon. Lambert Tree, and that gentleman subscribed $100. I also sent a dozen letters to prominent citizens, who, I knew, were familiar with the aims of the Red Cross. Only one so far responded with $10. But that was a beginning, and Dr. McArthur, after learning of my efforts to raise enough to uniform the men made us all happy by calling me into his office and telling me to have all the men uniformed, that he would guarantee the bill, though I must raise the money within 90 days. The firm honored Dr. McArthur’s guarantee, and when his action was announced to the assembled detachments all military discipline was thrown to the winds and our boys yelled themselves hoarse. The uniforms are good regulation khaki. We have now a total of 121 service uniforms for enlisted men and non-commissioned officers.

Each uniform consists of: Campaign hat with maroon cord, blouse with the letters “Ill.” and a large Red Cross button on the collar, one pair of trousers, one regulation belt, one pair leggings. Each man has a pair of tan shoes (private property). One detachment has pouches and canteens. Each detachment has a guidon (five in all). We have at our disposal 19 regulation army litters. Several of them are private property, but available.

The writer is chief surgeon to the Abraham Lincoln Hospital, with a capacity of 32 beds and a complete operating room outfit, laboratory, etc. This hospital is at the disposal of the Executive Committee without any expense for board, nursing or service.

The total strength of our personnel is as follows:

Director-in-Chief, commanding all Illinois “Relief Columns” 1
Surgeons, attached as his staff, available as instructors or
in a professional capacity (ranking as assistant directors) 6
Director-in-Chief, First Illinois Legion 1
Staff Assistant Directors, corresponding to adjutant and
quartermaster, respectively 2
Detachment Commanders 5
Doubtful and unassigned or suspended 2
---
Total officers 17
===
Five detachments of non-commissioned officers and
privates (each 21) 105
Color bearers 4
Bugle and drum corps 16
Nurse corps (ladies) 21
Non-active, or not yet assigned, pending completion of
6th and 7th detachments 58
---
Total strength 221

This report is not satisfactory to us from a numerical standpoint because we have paid no attention to recruiting owing to the proximity of Memorial Day, having strained every nerve to drill the men so as to make a creditable showing.

_Work Done._—Lectures delivered (bi-weekly) during January, February and March. Drills (weekly) during April and May. Sunday, May 23, the entire command assembled at the armory at 10 a. m. and accompanied Battery B to divine service. They marched in orderly fashion and were very dignified. At 1.30 p. m. the command met a second time at Rose Hill Cemetery and assisted in the ceremonies. Conduct and appearance elicited hearty approval from G. A. R. speakers.

_Decoration Day Parade._—The writer was marshal of the 5th Division. None but Red Cross officers were selected for the staff. They were all in dress uniforms, sidearms, and were decently mounted. The Red Cross detachments marched in the center of the division with their bugle and drum corps, colors flying. Several detachments carried litters. I noted that the people greeted the command with hearty applause. General Grant and Governor Deneen, who reviewed the parade, seemed interested. No less an officer than Colonel Van Hoff, Chief Medical Officer, Department of the Lakes, who witnessed the procession, admitted that we made a fine showing. I have been assured by many military men that our men marched as well as any seasoned troops. We certainly have succeeded in raising a feeling of pride in the breasts of our men for their organization.

But we have only begun. We must now proceed to increase our organization all over the State. The writer will be compelled to visit cities, deliver addresses and “incite” the organizers to activity. Our medical officers will be compelled to attend courses in military hygiene and surgery, which I will deliver from August 15 to September 30. Lectures and drills will go on. In July the command will be taken out on a three-day “hike.” The money for this will be raised by a concert and ball. This “hike” will enable us to teach our officers the rudiments of military map-making and map-reading (topography). But all these efforts fall into insignificance compared with the task before me of raising funds to pay off the debt guaranteed by Dr. McArthur and to equip the new members, several hundred of whom are expected to join within a few weeks. We need more litters, pouches, dressings, tents, bedding, transport wagons, ambulances, wheeled litters, all of which are requisites for an emergency. I am aware that in times of disaster the State will aid us with its equipment of tents, kitchens, etc., yet I feel that we must have at our disposal a field hospital—at least 100 stretchers, folding cots, bedding, blankets, surgical appliances, kitchen (field), a transportable x-ray machine, etc.

I also realize that there must be a system at the very beginning, and within a few days books will be prepared in which all information about the personnel will be recorded for reference in an emergency. Something like that has been done already, but I intend to learn who can be depended upon to respond to a call—their ’phones, business, social status, and the like.

I am disheartened when I look at the figures tabulated in England, Germany, Japan and Australia, with their thousands of men and women, and millions in property. I am anxious to do my share, but I feel confident that success would come surer and faster if the following suggestions were carried out:

1. Reorganization of the First-Aid Department with national and State chiefs.

2. Proper descriptive nomenclature for the entire corps, State Divisions and units.

3. A definite military status for officers and men. Even such terms as “detachment commander,” “column commander,” etc., would be better than “assistant director,” “director,” etc.

4. Aid in material by the government.

5. Preparation of “rules and regulations” on a similar plan to that used in the army, to insure uniformity and discipline.

6. Uniform stationery, blanks, enlistment pledges, vouchers and similar equipment to be issued from the main headquarters.

7. Assignment of medical officers of the army to diverse States as instructors and teachers.

8. The Red Cross to participate in army maneuvers.

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully,

GUSTAVUS M. BLECH.

Editor’s Note.—The second part of the entertainment given for the benefit of the First Illinois Legion of the Red Cross was devoted to an interesting exhibition of its training and drills.

Litter Drill—Detachment B, H. H. Wood commanding.

First Aid to Injured—Detachment D, Harry L. Coon commanding.

Exhibition Drill—Detachment C, John A. Stedge commanding.

NEW YORK

_Red Cross and Y. M. C. A. Co-operation._

Important announcement of first aid till the doctor comes for camp, summer school, home, shop. The American National Red Cross and the International Committee of Young Men’s Christian Associations will grant joint certificates in first aid to the injured, signed by President William H. Taft and a representative of the International Committee, to men and boys completing the requirements.

What to do for broken limbs, hemorrhage, poisoning, sunstroke, lockjaw, cramps, drowning, scalds, burns, cuts, bruises, etc.

Examination (August 25). Part practice, part written. Cost, 25 cents each person.

For any Association boy or man. A short course—10 lessons. Teacher—a doctor or physical director. In camp, at home, anywhere. Any text book.

Certificate granted to those with passing grade of 75 per cent. or above in examination. No extra charge.

For further particulars, see or write Secretary, Young Men’s Christian Association, or Educational Department, International Committee, 124 East Twenty-eighth street, New York.

_First Aid Certificate._

This certifies that __________ has satisfactorily completed the elementary course of study and passed the examination in first aid to the injured at the Young Men’s Christian Association, __________.

For the American Red Cross:

WM. H. TAFT, _President_.

For the International Committee, Educational Department:

FREDERIC B. PRATT, _Chairman_.

PENNSYLVANIA

August 18, 1909.

Hon. WILLIAM H. TAFT, _President Red Cross Society, War Department, Washington, D. C._

MY HONORED SIR: On the 17th of July, while traveling on the Canadian Pacific Railway, near Fields, B. C., I met with a distressing accident by having two of my fingers almost mashed off by being pinched by the car door. We had no doctor on the train at that time, but fortunately a Red Cross man from Philadelphia, Mr Joseph A. Steinmetz, was on the train. He came quickly to my relief, bound up my fingers as best he could, and was the embodiment of kindness and sympathy itself. I appreciate his services very much and desire to become a life member of a society that is doing so much everywhere to relieve suffering.

I therefore enclose you my check for $25.00, and, if agreeable to your society, would thank you to send me a life membership certificate.

With deep appreciation of the service of your secretary from Pennsylvania, I am, very sincerely yours,

E. S. HACKNEY.

Mr. Hackney also sent a contribution to the Pennsylvania Red Cross.

GERMANY

(SANITARY COLUMNS—HOCHHEIM).]

During 1908 the members of the German Red Cross Relief Columns gave assistance in 8,268 cases of accidents, 4,643 of which occurred in factories, showing the value of first aid instruction among men employed in manufactories.

(SANITARY COLUMNS—BROSKAW.)]

_Das Rothe Kreuz_, the official organ of the German Red Cross, gives interesting accounts of the great assistance rendered by the Relief Columns of Nuremberg in the earlier part of the year and also of that given by the Relief Columns of Osterburg and Seehausen after floods in their respective neighborhoods in November, 1908, and February, 1909. The Osterburg Column had already proved its usefulness after a railroad accident in 1903. Since then it had established an alarm system and by means of this it was quickly called into active service. Provided with boats placed at its disposition for this work, its members rescued many, and to others, who were cut off from the outside world by the flood, carried food and other supplies until the waters subsided. In some cases persons who were ill were carried in wheel ambulances on the boats and then transferred to the hospital at Osterburg. In February the Seehausen Column proved of service in its neighborhood. Its wheel ambulance stands always at the market place near the bridge, its station being marked by a Red Cross flag. These facts are a new proof of the value of these columns to any community and that they can provide faithful and capable assistance in every kind of accident.

GREAT BRITAIN

[From _Daily Mail_ (Great Britain), August 18, 1909.]

_The Red Cross in Every Home._

We are enabled to give to-day full details of one of the most remarkable developments of the voluntary principle in English life. It is a scheme which makes a great and comprehensive effort to enlist the patriotic services of all classes for a humane purpose—the succor of the sick and wounded in war. Further, the scheme will associate with the Territorial Force thousands, including women, who can not themselves serve in our army for home defense.

The War Office, the County Association, and the British Red Cross Society are all engaged in the appeals which will be put forward from to-day to members for the general purpose of urging them to join the new Red Cross detachments which are to train for the assistance of the Territorial Army Medical Corps in war. No one need be left out. In the detachments may be included peers, peeresses, landowners, ladies of the manor, squires, squires’ wives, local doctors, trained nurses, chemists, chemists’ assistants, carpenters, women cooks, joiners, smiths, drivers, mechanics, grocers, and butchers.

Many other occupations could be named whose everyday knowledge would be of special utility in war. All will be welcomed in the new “organization of voluntary aid in England and Wales,” the proposals for which were yesterday submitted to the County Associations and the Branches of the British Red Cross Society.

_Famous Surgeons Aid._

Its details were the work of Sir Alfred Keogh, Inspector-General of the Army Medical Service at the War Office, backed by the enthusiastic assistance of Sir Frederick Treves, the famous surgeon, whose experiences in South Africa have given him an unequalled expert knowledge, and Sir Richard Temple. Already there exists an organization which would come into active operation the moment war is declared, and which provides for the manning of general hospitals throughout the kingdom.

To these, scattered all over the country, in Cambridge, Brighton, London, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Glasgow, Edinburgh, and elsewhere, are attached all the best medical men in Great Britain. There are, to name only a few, Sir Watson Cheyne, Sir T. Barlow, Sir T. C. Allbut, Sir T. Oliver, Dr. Norman Moore, Dr. Gibson (Edinburgh), and Sir Hector Cameron (Glasgow). The names of these voluntary officers of the force, colonels, majors, and captains, who only assume their rank in war time, fill twenty-four columns of this month’s _Army List_.

To them would fall the task of succoring the sick and wounded who were brought to them from the field hospital and the ambulances. Unlike France and Germany, we have no line of communication by which the victims of war can be passed from the fighting line to safety in the hospital far in the rear. The Red Cross Society and the English people are now asked to meet the want. The scheme is so to train the inhabitants of our towns and villages that they can render first aid after a battle, convey the wounded to the nearest hospital, and forward them on through a chain of similar units from rest house to rest house till the base hospital is reached.