educational work; the object of this is that the general public should understand that public health work,-no matter how efficiently organized by Governments, Medical experts or Sanitary engineers, etc.,-cannot accomplish as much as it should accomplish, unless there is a sympathetic attitude on the part of the public, and also a frank recognition of the fact that public health work has many aspects, which can only bear fruit provided people in their homes carry out health regulations in the spirit as well as in the letter. CHILI. Reorganisation of the Chillan Red Cross. On the occasion of the official recognition of the entry of the Chilian Red Cross into the League of Red Cross Societies last May1, the Secretary General of the League expressed to the various groups of the Chilian Red Cross the hope that a committee would be constituted which might be considered as the sole representative of all Chilian local Red Cross organisations. Through the mediation of the Government the wish expressed by the League has been fully realised. By decree of the Ministry of War a committee has been appointed and charged with studying the most suitable method of organising a powerful Chilian Red Cross National Society, whilst respecting the autonomy of existing Red Cross groups. The following are extracts from the report submitted by the Committee. The Chilian people have at all times been distinguished for their humanitarian sentiments. The Covenant of the League of Nations, to which Chili has adhered, regards the organisation of a national Red Cross as incumbent on all member states. Chili possessed a Red Cross organisation several years before the War of 1914, a Red Cross institution having been established at Punta Arenas in 1903, and subsequently in the towns of Tocopilla, Antofagasta and Valparaiso in 1910, Osorno in 1912, Santiago in 1914, Puerto Natales in 1916, Valdavia and Rancagua in 1916 and at Conception in 1919. It is much to be regretted that, taking into account its traditions of humanity and justice, Chili was not represented at the General Council of the League of Red Cross Societies, which took place at Geneva in March 1920. This was due to the existence in Chili of several Red Cross organisations working independantly and without central organisation. The creation of the Central Committee was inspired by the necessity of an official organ duly recognised by the Government and which shall represent the Chilian Red Cross abroad. The Committee fully appreciates the work of the Punta Arenas Committee, the town from which the Red Cross movement in Chili originated, but for political, administrative and geographical reasons, recommends that the headquarters of the Chilian Red Cross should be established in the capital of the Republic. As a result of the above report, the Government published the following decree : REPUBLIC OF CHILI Ministry of War DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH Santiago, 14 th June, 1920. "In view of the report of the Committee and considering the resolutions adopted by the League of Red Cross Societies, founded in Paris on May 5th, 1915; in consideration of the requests made to the Government for the sole purpose of the organisation of the Chilian Red Cross, taking into account the principles of the International Red Cross Committee of Geneva and the provisions contained in Art. 25 of the Covenant of the League of Nations, approved by the Government of Chili, the Republic of Chili decrees that : 1 See Bulletin of the League of Red Cross Societies, N°10, page 4. Art. I. The Chilian Red Cross shall be constituted by the union of the various Red Cross committees and sub-committees already instituted in the country and of those which shall subsequently be organised in pursuance of the aims established by the Geneva Convention. Art. 2. A Central Committee of the Chilian Red Cross shall be created and charged with the execution of the programmes adopted by the International Conferences dealing with the assistance and welfare of humanity in times of war, in times of peace or in case of public disaster. Art. 3. This Committee shall be composed of 5 ex-officio members: The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, the Director of the Army Health Department, the Director General of Public Health, the Director of Public Welfare in Santiago and the Chief of the Sanitary Department of the Ministry of the Interior; of 5 regional delegates, one for each of the 4 military zones, to be elected by the Red Cross Societies of the Department corresponding to the zone, and of a special delegate of the Red Cross in Punta Arenas. Further, 9 members appointed by the President of the Republic, among whom shall be included a retired officer holding the rank of general or vice-admiral. Elected members shall hold office for a period of 3 years and are eligible for re-election. Art. 4. Committees. This Committee shall be authorized to organise local Red Cross (Signed) SANFUentes. In conformity with this decree (July 1, No. 1627), the Central Committee of the Chilian Red Cross with headquarters at Santiago will be composed as follows: - Ex-officio members: the Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dr. Gregorio Amunategui; the Director General of the Army Health Department, Dr. Luis Abalos; the Director General of Public Health, Dr. Ramon Corbalan Melgarejo; the Director General of Public Welfare in Santiago, Dr. Alejandro del Rio; the Chief of the Sanitary Department of the Ministry of the Interior, Dr. Pedro Lautaro Ferrer Rodriguez. Elected Members. Vice-Admiral Don Jorge Montt (retired); General don Jose Maria Bari (retired); Don Marcial Martinez de Ferrari; don Roberto Huneeus Gana; Don Manuel Foster Recabarren, Don German Riesco, Don Armando Quezada Acharan; Don Miguel Urrutia and don Enrique Zanartu Prieto. CUBA. Circular of the Health Department. — In order to facilitate the development of the Cuban Red Cross, which is now in full progress, the Director of the Health Department has addressed the following circular to all local Health Authorities: «The Minister of Public Health, under date of May 31 of this year, decided to call the attention of all local Public Health Authorities to the necessity of conforming strictly with the provisions of paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the circular of May 10, 1909, published in the Official Journal of April 28 of the same year, which stipulate: § 2, That the following institutions, Sanatoria for Consumptives, the hospital of Las Animas, the national laboratory, the quarantine department, the anti-tuberculosis dispensaries, the national hospitals and asylums, as well as the municipal directors of social hygiene, depending on this Ministry, shall give the Cuban Red Cross their entire moral, material and official assistance in order to facilitate the establishing of the Red Cross throughout the country; § 3. That the local Public Health Authorities shall apply the regulations adopted regarding charitable institutions, advising them especially to assist in forming provincial and municipal committees of the Cuban Red Cross in order to encourage humanitarian enterprises which have been officially recognized by the State; § 4. That all departments of this Ministry shall recognize the officers and members of the Red Cross, as well as their insignia and uniforms which have been officially sanctioned, and shall assist them in the accomplishment of their duties; § 5. « That the Ministry shall give the necessary instructions in order that the provisions of this Decree, of which the Red Cross Society will receive notification, may receive full application. » CZECHO-SLOVAKIA. Results of Membership Campaign. — Very satisfactory results of the Membership Campaign, which started during the last week of May, were announced at a meeting of members which was held at Prague headquarters in June. M. Groh, who has been in charge of the campaign announced a total increase of over 165.000 members, which, added to the 43,000 obtained earlier in the year, and the original members, brought the total membership to approximately 250,000. Preparations for the campaign were begun immediately upon the return of the delegates from the Geneva conference in March. Owing to the elections for the National Assembly, which came early in May, it was decided to postpone the opening of the campaign till the end of the month. Pamphlets for propaganda purposes were prepared in five languages, namely, Czech, German, Slovak, Hungarian and Russian. This literature, containing information, appeals and blank forms for use in the campaign, was sent to all mayors of towns and villages as well as to the various Red Cross chapters. One of the factors which most contributed to the success of the campaign was the meeting of chapters, or branch organisations, held at Prague on May 16, which was attended by over a hundred delegates, representing 99 chapters, or slightly over fifty per cent of the entire Red Cross organisation. Owing to the difficulty and expense of travelling, it was impracticable for all branches to send delegates. Representatives of national and divisional headquarters brought the total attendance at this meeting to over a hundred and fifty. In order to make known the object and plans of the Red Cross of CzechoSlovakia to all present, General Manager Linhart explained the democratic lines on which the society had been organised and the broad scope of the work undertaken. He also made a report of the Geneva conference to show the worldwide character of this movement. Mr. Wyckoff, of the League of Red Cross Societies, then presented plans for the organisation and development of the Red Cross of Czecho-Slovakia, which had already been approved at a meeting at headquarters. Copies of these plans were distributed to the delegates, who were requested to send suggestions regarding a proposed manual on chapter organisation. The delegates also received printed suggestions for the impending membership campaign, the various aspects of which were freely discussed. Finally Dr Alice Masaryk, President of the Czecho-Slovakian Red Cross, addressed the meeting, urging the delegates to appeal to the highest ideal of the people during the campaign and to demonstrate by personal example the true spirit of the Red Cross. In organising this campaign many difficulties were encountered, some of which could not be overcome. The plan of using posters, which had been very successful during the first membership campaign a year earlier, had to be abandoned owing to the scarcity of paper. The same difficulty was experienced. in the effort to supply badges and buttons. Many samples were furnished, but the cost seemed prohibitive, so that the plan of presenting members with Red Cross insignia had likewise to be abandoned. Difficulties due to national problems in Czecho-Slovakia had also to be faced. It was found, however, that wherever the peace programme and broad purpose of the present Red Cross of Czecho-Slovakia were lucidly exposed and clearly comprehended, all nationalities joined in large numbers. The minimum membership fee was fixed at 6 Kronen, other grades of membership ranging from 50 Kronen upwards. The experience gained by this campaign has proved the necessity of early preparation, the force of educational appeal to the people, and the fact that local success depends largely on the existence of a Red Cross branch. The Fight against Epidemics. Details of Colonel Longley's mission to Czecho-Slovakia will be found in the present Bulletin 1. In this connection the League has received a letter from the Chairman of the Czecho-Slovakian Red Cross, of which the following is an extract: << With respect to the task before us, we have the honour of informing you that your programme for the fight against epidemics in Slovakia and the Russian Carpathians has been approved by our Central Committee. Lieutenant-Colonel Jindra, representative of the Czecho-Slovakian Red Cross, of the Health Department of the Ministry of National Defence and of the Ministry Hygiene, has been charged with the execution of the programme. The Czecho-Šlovakian Red Cross has subscribed the sum of 1,000,000 crowns Cz. towards the campaign. » Government School for Nurses. The following contract has been passed between the Government, represented by the Minister of Health, and the CzechoSlovakian Red Cross regarding the administration of the Government School for Nurses at Prague : - Article 1. The Minister of Health charges the C.-S. R. C. with the administration of the Czech section of the Government Nurses for a period of two years from the date of the signature of this contract. Article 2. During this period the Red Cross shall be responsible for the administration and direction of the School. As regards the maintenance of this School, the Government shall supply the necessary funds to meet the Budget of 1920, and shall also supply certain funds for the years 1921 and 1922. Article 3. The subsidy for the maintenance of this School shall be paid in advance four times per annum ; namely, on October 1, January 1, April 1, and July 1. Article 4. The School shall be placed under the control of a Committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the C.-S. R. C., which includes three University professors and Dr. Kulhavy, or his successor in the Ministry of Health. Article 5. The School shall continue to be called "Government School for Nurses". Article 6. The programme of instruction shall undergo certain modifications which shall be submitted for the approval of the Government for directing and supervising the examinations. Article 7. The Government requests the Red Cross if possible to keep its present personnel. Should the Red Cross desire to engage new employees for a period exceeding the two years of its administration, the Ministry of Health must be consulted. Article 8. The Red Cross shall look after pupils of the School and allow them to live in the School provided their character and conduct satisfy the regulations of the Institution. Article 9. The Red Cross shall authorize certificated nurses working at the General Hospital to live in the School until the Director shall have found other quarters for them; they must, however, conform to the rules of the Institution. Article 10. Should it seem necessary, the C.-S. R. C. shall require that pupils of the School serve a three-years apprenticeship in the state hospitals. The Director of the School shall send nurses to the different hospitals directed by the Ministry of Health. Article 11. When certificated nurses are employed in state hospitals, the Minister of Health shall demand a report on their work, their qualifications and their character. These reports must be sent by the Director of the hospitals where they are employed to the Director of the School. DENMARK. -- Meeting of the Board. At the last Meeting of the Board the Chairman gave an outline of the work accomplished by the first General Council of the League of Red Cross Societies held in Geneva in March, 1920, at which the Danish Red Cross was represented by its Chairman and Dr. Madsen. The following Resolution was passed : "The Board of Directors desires to emphasise the importance of what is being done by the Society in Denmark on behalf of nursing; despite the present 1 See page 28. unfavourable situation, this work should be intensified. The Board will request a subsidy from the Government and has decided that if this is granted, a portion of the sum shall be devoted to helping needy sick people to obtain the necessary treatment." The various sections of the Red Cross will have an automobile at their disposal which will be used acccording to special regulations on this subject. The Board will pay special attention to the organising and training of a staff of nurses for Home Nursing; their collaboration in case of epidemics will be of great value. The Board has applied to Dr. Svendsen, Member of the Board of Governors of the League of Red Cross Societies, requesting him to draw up a plan of education for these nurses. FRANCE. « L'Association des Dames Françaises » (A. D. F.) and Child Welfare. The « Association des Dames Françaises » did not wait for the termination of the war to take up the question of Child Welfare. Already in 1918 an appeal was sent out to the Committees in the liberated districts advising them to help the inhabitants and especially to look after the children. Soon afterwards other reorganized Committees recognized the necessity of giving special assistance to newly born infants whose mothers on account of privations were unable to nourish them. Numerous consignments of medicine, condensed milk, children's foods, layettes and even cradles were sent out. In addition to this, the Commission for helping the liberated territories decided to contribute a certain sum of money to each of the Committees in order to enable them to supply meat tickets to needy mothers. Dispensaries for infants, milk stations, etc., were created or reconstituted in many points of the liberated territories. Although often somewhat primitive, these institutions render great service. Furthermore generous donations made it possible to receive a large number of children in convalescent homes in the mountains or at the sea-side. The Committees make a point of helping municipalities whose financial resources are insufficient for reconstituting Child Welfare works. In Paris a Central Committee accepted the offer of Dr. Ancelet, who has charge of an Infants' Home and has placed at its disposal a staff of its best nurses who are anxious to perfect themselves in Child Welfare work. Following the directions of the doctors, these nurses will visit mothers in their homes and will endeavour to help them in their work and to give them moral and material assistance. One of the principal aims of this organisation is to encourage breast feeding which is too often neglected. A ration of sterilised milk is provided for children, reared on mixed or artificial milk feeding. GREAT BRITAIN. British Red Cross and its peace programme. Having terminated its war activities, the British Red Cross is to-day devoting itself entirely to its peace programme which it is endeavouring to extend as far as possible in order to meet all present-day requirements. This programme, the main object of which is to ensure the health and welfare of all the inhabitants of the United Kingdom, is summarized in a letter signed by H.M. Queen Alexandre and by H.R.H. Prince Arthur of Connaught, Grand Prior of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem in England, and contains the following passage: « During that period (of the war) a vast number of workers, both men and women, throughout the whole Empire gave unwearying and devoted service to this cause, and it was natural that, when peace came, there should be a general feeling that an organisation such as this, founded on the voluntary efforts of those whose object was the relief of suffering and distress, should not be disbanded or allowed to disappear.» |