in India, especially as regards education in first aid, home nursing and public health generally. Lord Reading spoke with special admiration of the activities of the Saint John Ambulance Brigade, and expressed the opinion that in future the work of the Red Cross would have to be carried on more and more by non-official persons; there could be no greater task than that of assisting suffering humanity. ITALY. Red Cross and Labour. The bulletin on several occasions spoke of the peace activities of the Italian Red Cross, which, on the conclusion of the war, lost no time in directing its energies towards the new end in view, or in employing them to give added force to existing activities. This is the case with the fight against malaria and against tuberculosis, with child welfare, assistance to the labouring classes and public health propaganda. The Italian Red Cross has now started an important community health work for the cure and prevention of popular diseases, the protection of motherhood, of childhood and of the workman, popular education, and the relief of human sufferings generally. In applying this programme, the Italian Red Cross makes a special appeal to labouring classes in order that they may collaborate in the work being undertaken on their behalf by raising the material and moral standards of the people, by obtaining free and healthy conditions for work and by pacifying public opinion. The co-operation of the labouring class is necessary because it is to reap the benefits, not in the form of a reward, but as a result of its desire for self-improvement. Should it hold aloof, such reluctance would prove an obstacle at every step towards realising this programme of far-reaching reform. In an article entitled: "The Red Cross and Social Peace", Professor T. Rossi Doria explains that it is not the intention of the Red Cross to oppose the economic struggle between nations and classes, which is necessary in order that " for the pseudo-civilisation of war may be substituted a true civilisation of peace founded on the triumph of social justice, but that it intends to declare its neutrality and to aid the inevitable victims of this contest. It is also the aim of the Red Cross to strike at the root and to prevent the inception of all individual and social maladies, and it is for this reason that hygiene, and more particularly social hygiene, which aims at eradicating the causes of suffering, has been included in the Red Cross programme. The Italian Red Cross wishes that every family should have a healthy and comfortable dwelling, that women should not have to undertake work for which they are Lot fit and that every man should better his lot by achieving a greater degree of intellectual culture. As Professor Rossi Doria says in the article already mentioned: "It is necessary that every man should attain the respected condition of the citizen who is liberated from the tyranny of work. This work should be made healthy and capable of increasing, and not diminishing, the force of the worker; it is necessary that it be liberated, as far as possible, from avoidable danger and harm, that it loose its character of depressing servitude and become the most desirable and purest happiness of regenerated humanity." The attainment of such vast and high ideals can only be possible through the organised and conscious collaboration of all classes of citizens 2, who should confidently group themselves round the Red Cross which is inaugurating this great work of civilisation with such ardent and sincere enthusiasm. 1 See official Bulletin of the Italian Red Cross, June 1921, page 619. ? A recent example has been given by the Chamber of Commerce of Rome in its collaboration with the Italian Red Cross for the organisation of summer colonies for children. (See official Bulletin of the Italian Red Cross, No. 5, page 625.) JAPAN. The 29th general Assembly of the Japanese Red Cross. On May 5, H. I. M. the Empress of Japan opened the general meeting of the Japanese Red Cross Society, which was attended by over 15,000 Red Cross officials and members. Dr. Hirayama, Chairman of the Red Cross Society, submitted the financial statement and the report of the work undertaken during the year 1920. From this report we quote the following interesting items: over 300 relief activities were undertaken, more than 130,000 persons being assisted. Tuberculosis preventive work is gradually improving. The number of permanent relief stations and of seaside homes for children is increasing and there is similarly an increase in district relief work. The nursing situation is the following: there are 322 head nurses liable to be called up in war times, 3,362 regular nurses and 865 probationers. Red Cross hospitals (including branch hospitals) number 18. The two relief units sent to Vladivostok in November 1920 are still there, one working in the military hospital, the other assisting the civilian population, Russian and foreign. Both are doing excellent work. In connection with international relief work, the Japanese Red Cross contributed towards the Polish Epidemic Relief Fund and undertook to send medical supplies to the prisoners in Eastern Siberia. Further, in addition to the Mission to Siberia, the Japanese R. C. took charge of Polish orphans in that country, providing them with temporary homes in Japan and assisting them in their repatriation. Since the beginning of 1921 relief has been extended to China. The JapaneseChinese Industrial Association rendered important assistance to the victims of famine, and, in cooperation with the Red Cross, last March despatched a relief unit to China, which accomplished excellent work in three centres: Peking, Tungchow and Tientsin. The membership of the Japanese R. C. is now two million. Revision of Articles of Association, In conformity with the movement initiated by western Red Cross Societies with the object of organising and extending relief work in peace time, the Japanese R. C. revised its Articles of Association to meet the demands of post-war times. The new regulations have come into effect since May 15, 1921. In addition to the former four supervisory boards, a fifth has been organised, namely the Investigation Board. The former boards dealt with general affairs: relief work, finance and secretarial work, whereas the new board will deal with the following: a) General activities and reports on domestic and foreign sanitation and health work. b) International Red Cross conferences and the international work of Red Cross societies in general. c) Junior Red Cross societies. d) Propaganda. e) Museums and Exhibitions. f) Interpretation and translation. g) Publication. h) Relief work for prisoners of war. Maternity and child welfare were added to the work of the Relief Board. In a letter from Tokio, dated August 8, adressed to the Director General of the League, Dr. Hirayama, Chairman of the Japanese Red Cross, gives the following details: Since July 1920, 275 Polish orphans have been aided by the Japanese Red Cross, being transported in groups to the United States between September and July 1921. H. M. the Empress, as well as other charitable disposed persons, have taken a personal interest in the orphans and have contributed money and gifts in order that their stay in Japan might be made as agreeable as possible. The Japanese Red Cross has spent 40.000 yens on this relief work, Regulations for Midwives. For many years past Japan has devoted great care and achived notable success in the training of midwives. Obstetrics is regarded as an important science and almost every hospital has an obstetrical department. The Red Cross hospital has a maternity ward which is open to the poor without charge. The new Articles of Association, however, make special provisions for free treatment of expectant mothers, which work will be undertaken as a sociological experiment in child welfare. This activity will be initiated in Tokio, where a new hospital is to be built in which the work can be carried on under the supervision of the headquarters staff. The Society hopes later to extend the work throughout the Empire. Japan's delegate at King's College, London. At the meeting of the First General Council of the League of Red Cross Societies in Geneva, March 1920, it was decided that nurses should be trained to take a leading part in public health movements. The Japanese R. C., which was unable to find in time a suitable candidate to take the course of training organised by the League of Red Cross Societies at King's College for Women, University of London, last year, will be represented in the international group of nurses this year by Miss Masako Tabuchi, head nurse at the Yokohama branch, who sailed for England last July. Relief unit to Vladivostok. In April 1921, bubonic plague appeared in Vladivostok and has since spread with alarming rapidity, most of the patients being Chinese coolies. Whilst the epidemic was at its worst, numerous corpses were daily found in the streets, and as it was impossible to ascertain their domiciles, the centres of infection could not be disinfected and isolated. The Board for the Prevention of Plague of the Japanese Army did its utmost to stimulate the Sanitary Departement of the Russian Government to adopt more energetic measures to combat the disease; through its efforts, the private police for the elimination of the plague was increased and census-taking and isolating measures strictly enforced. Coolies were required to submit to inoculation. The Relief Unit of the Japanese Red Cross Society, which was then in Vladivostok, took charge of this work. From the middle of May about 2,600 persons were inoculated with preventive virus. At first the Chinese coolies made violent protest against the inoculation order, but later on, realising the danger of infection and having discovered that the Japanese escaped the disease as a result of inoculation, they came voluntarily and asked for treatment. Eventually they learnt to appreciate the work done by the Red Cross workers and expressed gratitude for the treatment. NEW ZEALAND. Red Cross Work in Auckland. The opening of the « Evelyn Firth Home » by the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, on November 24, 1920, marked a new departure in the work of the Joint Committee of the Aukland Centre, New Zealand Branch of the British Red Cross and Order of St. John. This Committee had been considering for some time how they could best make provision for the soldiers who are suffering from chronic disabilities due to the war. In Auckland there were many cases of paralysis due to injuries to the spine or to tubercular trouble, as well as chronic heart disease following upon injuries. These men would require attention for years to come, and the care needed was such that they could not be treated in their own homes. The military hospitals were not permanent, and it was certain that these chronic cases could not be adequately dealt with in the civil hospitals. Here was a chance for the Red Cross, and the Auckland Committee cheerfully undertook to supply these men, who had lost so much for their country, with a home and comforts for the remainder of their days. After inspecting a number of the available properties in the district, the Committee finally purchased one at Point Resolution, paying £7,000 for it, and spending about £4,000 in additions and improvements. This property is ideally situated for the purpose, standing at the end of a point jutting into the Harbour, so that it will allow of the patients enjoying to the full, fresh air, sunshine and sea breezes. It overlooks the water on three sides, and has a magnificent view of the City front, the marine suburb of Devonport, and the Hauraki Gulf with its numerous islands beyond the Harbour entrance. All the shipping of the City passes in front of the Home, and will be a constant source of interest to the men. An additional ward was built so that adequate arrangements could be made for accommodation to meet all contingencies and, at the same time, include the staff, consisting of a matron, two nursing sisters, three V. A. D.'s, and two orderlies. The main building has a verandah on two sides, twelve feet wide. This gives plenty of space for the invalid chairs and for exercise on wet days. Arrangements for the entertainement of the men include a bioscope, given by the Y. M. C. A., while the Patriotic Association has provided a billiard table and a motor car for the use of the patients during the afternoons. The responsibility for the maintenance of the Home is divided between the Defence Departement and the Red Cross, the Defence supplying the medical attention, nurses and necessary furniture and food, while the Red Cross provides the V.A.D.'s, workers, the cook, special food diet, and extra comforts for the patients, and the upkeep of the buildings and grounds. At the date of opening there were 19 patients accommodated at the « Home », and it was expected that their number would be increased to 25 in a short time. The institution has been named the Evelyn Firth Home » in honour of the late Miss Evelyn Clifton Firth, who died from illness contracted through nursing soldiers during the influenza epidemic of 1918. Miss Firth was one of the representatives of the Order of St. John on the Auckland Joint Committee, and also took the leading part in the establishment and supervision of the Epsom Convalescent Home for soldiers. NORWAY. Red Cross Labour Office. Professor Holst has submitted a draft scheme of a Labour Office for partially disabled to the Norwegian Red Cross. The author insists upon the fact that in every community a considerable part of the population is handicapped, as regards labour capacity, by illness. Many of these retain partial capacity, but competition with normal labour is out of the question. Either work must be entirely renounced, or these partially disabled must make excessive demand on their strength. They pass their lives going in and out of hospitals. Professor Holst's scheme provides for the allotment of suitable work to these people. The committee agreed that this activity fitted in the Red Cross frame, and that a special commission should be formed to take the matter in hand. The committee has already begun to collect funds for a Labour Agency in Christiania. Later similar offices will be opened in other towns. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Red Cross National Convention. It is is announced that a National Convention of the American Red Cross will be held at Columbus, Ohio, from October 3 to 8 of this year. One of the objects of the meeting is to study the permanent programme of the American Red Cross in all its phases. The schedule for the meeting includes: an Ex-Service Men's Day, a Health Day. a Junior Day and a Home Service Day; there will also be historical pageants and choral performances. It is expected that President Harding will address the Convention on its opening day. Junior Red Cross members will be included in the chapter delegations, and special meetings will be held for the Juniors. Other special features of the Convention will be a meeting of the Red Cross overseas personnel and home workers who served during the war. The Spirit of International Service. One of the object of the League of Red Cross Societies is to encourage and promote in every country of the world the establishment and the development of the duly authorised voluntary national Red Cross organisation. It is accordingly with great pleasure that the League notes that an attempt is being made among member Societies to realise the spirit of international brotherhood, which is essentially that of the Red Cross. The American Red Cross, which has organised so many activities abroad, maintains constant and cordial relations with the national Red Cross Societies of many countries, and has, on several occasions, been able to contribute towards their development. Thus the Red Cross Societies of Mexico and of Nova Scotia have applied to the American Red Cross for publicity material (films, pamphlets, posters, etc.), which request was promptly complied with. A striking instance of international Red Cross helpfulness is furnished by a small committee of natives belonging to the American Red Cross chapter in Haiti. These Haitians, having familiarised themselves with the programme and methods of the American organisation, are now taking steps to promote a national Haitian Red Cross. Italy also contributes towards this internationalisation of the Red Cross cause. Contessa Nora Balzania, of Rome, Marchesa Paola Firmaturi, of Palermo, and Signorina Caterina Bosio, of Florence, who are prominent in Red Cross work in Italy, visited the United States in August in order to study the methods employed by the American Red Cross for training public health nurses, with a view to promoting these activities in their own country. The visitors have inspected hospitals, training schools, clinics, health centres, etc., in Boston, New York, Chicago, and have paid a visit to the national Red Cross headquarters at Washington. - Industrial accidents. article The Bulletin has already published an concerning the rôle of the Red Cross in the protection of labour 1. The following statistics on industrial accidents were prepared by the first-aid service of the American Red Cross :- Over 22,000 persons lost their lives in industrial accidents in the United States during 1918, the average among American workmen being 7 per 10,000. This is forty-five percent of the number of Americans killed in battle in the World War. Coal and metal mining claimed the highest accident death rate of any industry with rates of 33 men killed for each 10,000 employed. In coal mines alone over 2,500 men were killed in 1918. During the past seven years an average of at least four men have lost their lives for every million tons of coal produced, according to See Bulletin of the League of Red Cross Societies, vol. II, N° 6-7, page 234. |