pharmacist, under officer and 12 men; assistant commandant, medical
officer, quartermaster, pharmacist, assistant pharmacist, under officer
and 12 men.
Women—Commandant (medical officer), quartermaster, lady superintendent,
ten women (including one trained nurse); assistant commandant (medical
officer), assistant quartermaster, lady superintendent, ten women
(including one trained nurse).
Under the commandant will be two sections, each commanded by an officer,
who ought to be the village doctor. Their under officers will again be
the chemist and his assistants. The men of the sections will be made up
of tradesmen and workmen. Each will have an assigned duty. The carpenter
and the smith would train to convert the church and the school into a
hospital, make ready carriages and carts to convey wounded and sick, and
fit up railway wagons, coal trucks, and the like for a similar use.
Others would prepare in peace time, so that when mobilized they could go
to a house here or a house there, obtain beds promised beforehand, and
fit them up in the temporary hospital, procure tables for operations,
lay in the necessary food and fuel. Under the lady superintendent is to
be the trained nurse, and her associates are to include those who have
volunteered as cooks, and others who will look after the cleanliness of
the hospital, wash clothing, and do all those thousand and one tasks
which make for the comfort and the restoration to health of ailing men.
In the larger towns and cities there may be dozens of these splendid
organizations for making less terrible the dreadful results of war.
The Red Cross detachments have no place in our regular service. Because
our forces serve over seas the War Office itself provides the necessary
chain of hospitals and communications for bringing the wounded to the
base. But the Territorial Forces are created only for service at home,
and the hope is that those who can not for any reason join its ranks may
at least render valuable assistance as members of their local Red Cross
detachment.
The Central Council of the Red Cross Society will superintend the scheme,
and the local Branches in the counties will cooperate with the various
Territorial Associations in carrying out arrangements. The main object
will be the base hospital, which is even now part of the Territorial
Force organization. Beyond that, however, it is hoped that the Red Cross
organizations and the general public may provide a convalescent hospital,
where the men wasted by war may recruit before, if necessary, returning
to the fighting line.
In time of war the organization would be: Fighting line, Territorial
Army Medical Service, field ambulances, clearing hospitals, voluntary
aid detachment, rest stations, ambulance trains, general hospital,
convalescent depot, and homes.
NOTES
CALIFORNIA.
[Illustration: PALMA COGLIANDRO (4 YEARS OF AGE), AN ORPHAN, BROUGHT FROM
MESSINA AND DELIVERED TO HER UNCLE IN SAN FRANCISCO BY THE AMERICAN RED
CROSS.]
Mr. Steinmetz, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Branch, who has lately been
in California, writes: “It was my desire to study carefully the design of
the wood houses issued to the refugees. Mr. Dohman very kindly put me in
the hands of Mr. McLaren, Superintendent of the Golden Gate Park, and I
went with him in his automobile, accompanied by one of the active workers
of their Organized Charities, and visited a great many of the little
houses. These wooden houses have been carried away to different permanent
sites, where they now form the permanent homes of their owners. As a rule
they have been somewhat rebuilt, have been raised off of the ground,
front porches and rear kitchens added, and they have been shingled and
painted and set in the midst of gardens of blooming plants and shrubs,
forming beautiful little suburban homes in which anyone would be content
and happy. The woodwork, as far as I observed, was in a good state of
preservation. There does not seem to be any rotting of the sills, the
roofs seemed taut and, altogether, the wisdom of issuing these houses
has more than been proved, showing that really your Central Committee
builded better than it knew.”
Palma Cogliandro, the little girl who was brought from Italy by the
Red Cross, and who, during an attack of measles, was most kindly cared
for by officers of the Massachusetts Red Cross, has safely reached her
destination and is with her uncle in California.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The District of Columbia Branch of the National Red Cross Society has
finished equipping its relief station in the old Pierce mill, Rock Creek
Park, and in the future all accidents occurring in the park will be given
emergency treatment at this station.
A complete outfit of first aid to the injured has been installed. No
regular attendant will be stationed at the building, but the equipment
will be available to all who may need it at any time, day or night. The
keys to the room in which the outfit is located, and which will be used
as an accident ward until the arrival of one of the city ambulances,
have been placed under the glass at the side of the door of the mill.
Telephone connection with the city hospital has been made.
INDIANA.
A request was received at Red Cross headquarters from the Railroad
Commission of the State of Indiana for some ten thousand of the Red Cross
railroad posters, of which some sixty thousand have been distributed. The
Commission was informed that the railroads had already asked and received
thousands of these posters. The following reply to this communication was
later received from the Commission, which also issued a special circular
to all the railroads in the State urging them to apply for these posters:
DEAR SIR: Your favor of June 7th was received and carefully
noted.
I agree with you that your system of distribution of the Red
Cross warning posters is adequate, and you will allow me to say
that it is my opinion that they are doing a great deal of good.
Our Commission has been so impressed with the value of these
posters that we desire to go further than you have done in
their distribution, if it can be satisfactorily arranged. We
wish to post them in the schoolhouses of this State. We think
that children ought to be instructed, especially those who, in
the country, ride over unprotected highway grade crossings, as
to how serious is the danger that they constantly incur.
There are 11,000 unprotected highway grade crossings of the
railroads in this State. A great many people, and very often
children, are killed by the trains on these crossings. We think
that the attractiveness of your poster, its large letters and
its colors would strike the attention of the children in the
public schools.
If you can arrange in some way to supply this Commission with
the quantity mentioned in my letter of the 7th, I believe the
result would be satisfactory to your Association.
Yours, very truly,
W. J. WOOD, _Chairman_.
The posters were sent as requested.
MASSACHUSETTS.
The Secretary of the Massachusetts Branch writes National Headquarters as
follows:
“Mr. Richard M. Saltonstall, a lawyer and member of the Massachusetts
Branch, has been successful in stopping the use of the Red Cross as
an advertisement on several occasions, notably in connection with the
offices of quack doctors.”
MINNESOTA.
ST. JAMES, MINN., May 31, 1909.
Mr. ERNEST P. BICKNELL, _Of the American National Red Cross, Washington,
D. C._
SIR: I got your address from clipping herewith from our _Minneapolis
Journal_. I write for a copy of the last report of your organization.
I am, so far as I know, the sole survivor of the original “Auxiliary
Relief Corps” of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, a corps organized by the
commission in the winter of 1863-64, and taking the field with Grant’s
movement on Lee, May, 1864, its first entry into the personal relief work.
In January, 1865, I put the Geneva Cross, now the Red Cross, on our corps
of some fifty young men attached to the base hospitals of the armies of
the Potomac and the James, its first display upon any organized body of
men on any field in the world. The “San. Com.” had already been sufferers
from lack of this protective emblem of neutrality.
Such reports, etc., as may give me a notion of the present condition of
this now assured success, the Red Cross of America, I shall be grateful
for.
I am, sir,
ANSON M. SPERRY.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Mr. Leighton, President of this State Branch, has sent to the editor of
the BULLETIN a copy of an excellent essay on the Red Cross, written by a
young man of the Antrim High School, and suggests that local Red Cross
Divisions offer prizes for the best essay written on the Red Cross in
their respective high schools, which seems to us an excellent idea. We
regret that lack of space prevents our printing the essay referred to
above.
NEW YORK.
A large and enthusiastic meeting in the interest of the American National
Red Cross was held in Florence Nightingale Hall, Presbyterian Hospital.
Miss Mary E. Gladwin, Superintendent of the Woman’s Hospital, presided,
and addresses were made by B. O. Satterwhite, Mrs. W. K. Draper, Mrs.
Charles C. Stevenson, and Mrs. F. J. Brockway.
The purpose of the meeting was to enlarge the general membership and
to increase the number of nurses enrolled. The speakers especially
urged nurses to enroll now, because of the approaching Hudson-Fulton
celebration, during which the American National Red Cross expects to
maintain twenty-one relief stations, six army tents, and an automobile
ambulance service, with nurses in attendance.
It was announced that the Mills Training School had decided to affiliate
with the Red Cross nurses’ organization, and the announcement was
received with much applause, for, as the chairman explained, there had
been a dearth of good male nurses in the Red Cross.
RHODE ISLAND.
The American National Red Cross and the Rhode Island Branch have
sustained a great loss in the death of Mr. John C. Pegram, of Providence,
a member of the Central Committee of the American Red Cross and the
President of the Rhode Island Branch. The Red Cross in this country
has had no more loyal and faithful supporter than Mr. Pegram since its
reorganization in 1905. At the next meeting of the Central Committee
appropriate action will be taken to express the deep appreciation of the
Red Cross of Mr. Pegram’s services and its sincere sympathy with the
members of his family and the Rhode Island Red Cross Branch.
John Combe Pegram, a member of the Providence bar since 1868, a former
Representative in the General Assembly, and prominently known throughout
the city and State because of his activities in benevolent and civic
work, died at the Hope Club at 6 o’clock on the morning of August 11. His
death resulted from an attack of cerebral hemorrhage.
[Illustration: JOHN COMBE PEGRAM.]
John Combe Pegram, son of William B. and Charlotte Combe Pegram, was born
August 26, 1842, at Owensborough, Ky. He was a graduate of the United
States Naval Academy, of Annapolis, in the class of 1863, and served in
the south Atlantic blockading squadron from July, 1863, to October, 1864,
on the U. S. S. _Wachusett_ in 1865-66, on various other vessels during
the civil war, and on the staff of Admiral Dahlgren. He resigned from
the navy in 1866, when he went to Cambridge. He was graduated from the
Harvard Law School in the class of 1868. He was admitted to the Rhode
Island bar in 1868, and had been the senior member of the firm of Pegram
& Cooke since 1885, though he had not been in active practice recently.
Mr. Pegram had always been active in public affairs and had held many
offices testifying to his interest in hospitals of the community. He
was a trustee of the Rhode Island Hospital, and for several years was
Secretary of the Board of Trustees. He was, until last year, a Trustee of
the Rhode Island State Sanatorium at Wallum Lake, and President of the
Rhode Island Branch of the American National Red Cross.
The Providence _Journal_ says of Mr. Pegram:
“There was a fine blending of Southern chivalry and New England rigor
in John C. Pegram, who died suddenly yesterday. His Annapolis training
and naval service during the civil war were marked by the same sense
of public responsibility as his interest in our local hospitals and
charities. He was the leader of the Red Cross movement in Rhode Island,
and the Rhode Island Hospital and the State Sanatorium especially
profited by his loyal and valued cooperation. Independent in politics,
fearless in denunciation of everything unwholesome, refined in thought,
cultivated in speech, a gentleman of pleasing address, he gave to this
community willingly of his time and labor and leaves it in his debt for
forty years of good citizenship.”
INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE.
Monsieur Moynier, President of the International Committee since its
foundation in 1864, has collected in a cabinet all the souvenirs,
orders, and testimonials of gratitude he has received during his long
connection with the universal Red Cross. The idea of Christian charity is
represented by an engraving of Christ dying upon the cross. Photographs
of the founders of the Red Cross in different countries fill one album,
and the publications of the International Committee form in themselves
quite a library. The University of Tomsk, on the 350th anniversary
of its foundation, unanimously conferred honorary membership of the
university upon Monsieur Moynier, the highest academic honor that can be
given in Russia. The Grand Duchess of Baden, in the name of the Baden
Women’s Union of the Red Cross, has sent to Monsieur Moynier, with a
personal letter, a medal and an illuminated address. The medal bears the
indication of the 50th jubilee of this union, which was actually formed
before the Red Cross, with a red cross in the center on the one side of
the medal and on the other the grand ducal arms and the motto of the
society, “Gott mit uns.”
Of the American Red Cross Text-Book on First Aid, by Major Charles
Lynch, U. S. A., Dr. Ferriere speaks most highly in the _International
Bulletin_, saying that it merits being translated and adopted by other
Red Cross Societies.
The _International Bulletin_, in referring to the international relief
work done by the Red Cross, says: “The international solidarity is
developing and may well some day crystallize into a convention like that
of Geneva, for the purpose of organizing specially for international
assistance at times of great calamities.”
The American Red Cross ventures respectfully to suggest that this
international assistance after great calamities needs no special
convention, that the Red Cross Societies of the world, originally
organized to render volunteer aid in time of war, have, almost without
exception, so broadened their scope of work as to include the assistance
necessary after great calamities. The American Red Cross, since its
reorganization in 1905, has rendered assistance after some eighteen
serious disasters, eleven of which were in foreign lands. If the American
Red Cross shall have the honor and pleasure of receiving the Ninth
International Red Cross Conference at Washington, it will ask that
special attention be paid to this question of international assistance
at times of great calamities. Such international cooperation in relief
measures would not only bring the financial assistance that does so much
to relieve the sufferings of the victims and gives them new courage
because of the consciousness of brotherly sympathy the world over, but
the experience and knowledge of each and all as to methods of relief
after various kinds of calamities, such as fires, earthquakes, famines,
floods, and epidemics, could be available for the benefit of those in
need of such aid. Much time, money, and supplies are often wasted and
unnecessary suffering caused because of lack of experience in how best to
proceed with relief measures.
BULGARIA.
The annual meeting of the Bulgarian Red Cross was held at Sofia on May
1. The reports show that the society possesses, in funds and value of
supplies, about $336,200. It will soon open a new hospital for the
instruction of its nurses. In 1908 it took energetic measures to prevent
an invasion of cholera from Russia. Funds were also raised for the
benefit of the victims of the fire at Uscub, Macedonia.
CHILI.
The International Committee of Geneva has sent out Circular 123,
announcing the receipt of the statutes of the Chilian Red Cross, which
are in accordance with the Red Cross international regulations, and
therefore the Chilian Red Cross is declared duly accredited to the
Central Committees of the Red Cross.
CONGO.
As the Congo has now become a colony of Belgium, the Congo Red Cross,
which has done much good work for the amelioration of the sufferings of
the victims of the sleeping sickness at Boma and Leopoldville, has been
dissolved.
CUBA.
[Extract.]
_Decree No. 406._
HABANA, CUBA, May 10, 1909.
The Cuban Red Cross Society will enjoy in Cuban territory all privileges
accorded, or which may hereafter be accorded, charitable institutions.
The statutes and by-laws of the International Society of the Cuban Red
Cross, adopted by the Supreme Assembly of the society on March 10, 1909,
are approved by the government.
Dr. Diego Tamayo y Figueredo, elected on March 10, 1909, President of
the Supreme Assembly and of the Executive Committee of the society, is
officially recognized in such capacity and is appointed delegate of the
Cuban government, as provided in article 36 of the by-laws of the society.
Mrs. Dulce Maria Perez Ricart de Sanchez Fuentes is officially recognized
as President of the Central and of the Provincial Executive Committees,
to which she was elected on March 13, 1909.
The insignia, uniforms, banners, etc., of the society, provided for in
articles 5, 6, 7, 21, 23, 178, 179, 182, 184, and 196 of the by-laws, are
similarly recognized.
Gen. Armando Riva y Hernandez, E. P., and Gen. Gerardo Machado y Morales,
Inspector General of the Armed Forces, and Dr. Arturo Sonville, Major
Medical Corps, R. G., are appointed commissioners of the government for
the purpose of drawing up, together with commissioners designated by the
society, the regulations contemplated by article 31 of the by-laws for
the government of relations between members of the Red Cross and of the
official medical corps in time of war.
Dr. Florencio Villuendas y de la Torre is, in accordance with article 13
of the by-laws, designated to represent the Secretary of government in
the Supreme Assembly of the society.
The provisions of this decree will be communicated to the commanding
generals of the Armed Forces for the information of said forces, and
to the provincial Governors for the information of Alcaldes in their
respective jurisdictions.
The Department of Government is intrusted with the fulfillment of the
provisions of this decree.
JOSE M. GOMEZ, _President_.
NICOLAS ALBERDI, _Secretary of Government_.
FRANCE.
The Life Saving Society of France has asked to become affiliated with
the French Red Cross. It has been in existence thirty years, and its
object is to provide assistance to the victims of accidents of public
calamities and epidemics. This society, in time of war, will place its
litter bearers at the disposition of the Red Cross. The French Society of
Secouristes, composed of volunteer men nurses, whose object is to install
emergency first-aid stations in Paris and other large cities, has asked
for a like affiliation for the purpose of placing its 1,000 trained men
at the disposal of the Red Cross in time of war. The Navy Department
has issued an order permitting the French Red Cross nurses to study
in the navy hospitals. Both the Army and Navy Departments have issued
orders authorizing their officers to become members of the Red Cross.
The methods of discovering the wounded after battle, especially when
the search has to be made at night, is receiving particular attention
in France; the use of trained dogs and of powerful lights are being
carefully studied.
The income of the Central Committee of the French Red Cross last year
amounted to $71,162, without including those of the two branches, the
Association of French Women and the Union of the Women of France.
Legacies amounting to $11,200 were also received. The Academy of Moral
Science, in recognition of the Red Cross work in Morocco, awarded the
society the Audifferd prize of $3,000, the highest distinction it can
confer. As a recognition of the same services, the Chamber of Deputies
voted an appropriation of $3,000 to the Red Cross “as a testimony of the
gratitude of the nation.” The society, during the past year, sent to the
military posts 6,800 books and magazines, not counting 360 subscriptions
to periodicals; 3,612 games were also sent for the soldiers’ use. The
French Red Cross presented to the Queen of Italy and to the Duchess of
Aosta the gold medals of the society in appreciation of their heroic work
for the earthquake victims.
RED CROSS AND AVIATION.—Near the Red Cross temporary hospital stood a man
with a telescope, sweeping the whole plain. Beside him was an automobile,
ready to start at a second’s notice. As soon as Bleriot fell assistance
was rushed to him and he was quickly in the nurse’s hands. His injuries,
considering that he had fallen sixty feet, proved slight, but his nervous
system received a terrible shock. When he appeared at lunch on the stand
his left hand was bandaged and he walked with a slight limp. He was
heartily cheered.
In an hour’s time after news of the earthquake in Provence had reached
it, the Marseilles Committee of the Association of French Women of the
Red Cross had ready a fully equipped hospital with its personnel, which
was established at Rognes. In speaking of this work one of the Marseilles
papers said: “The promptitude of this mobilization proves to us the value
of the Red Cross and the necessity for its practical instructions.”
The French War Department has conferred the gold medal of honor upon
Mademoiselle Berthe Clavery, a Red Cross nurse, who, after many months
of most devoted service in Morocco, nearly lost her life through typhoid
fever contracted while on this patriotic duty.
GERMANY.
By postal regulation all contributions for the Central Committee of the
German Red Cross, addressed to that Committee in care of its official
bank, can be sent free.
The society reports up to date that contributions for the flood sufferers
in Germany amount to $46,185.
GREAT BRITAIN.
The War Department of Great Britain has issued a circular to the officers
of the Territorial Medical Corps, recommending that on their retirement
they become members of the St. Andrews’ Ambulance Corps of the Red Cross,
which now numbers 4,000 active members. In the First Aid Department of
this BULLETIN will be found a most interesting article on the plans
of the British War Department and the Red Cross for developing the
latter for war relief service. In April, 1909, the Canadian Red Cross
was officially recognized by the government. It is affiliated with the
British Red Cross.
GREECE.
In its report for 1907, the Greek Red Cross states that it furnished
antiseptics and other supplies to twenty-three hospitals. The sick and
wounded refugees from Macedonia were aided. For a number of sick refugees
from Roumelia and Bulgaria tents, linen, and other necessary articles
were provided. After the International Conference at London, the Greek
Red Cross formulated the following recommendations:
1. To procure, as soon as possible, further legal protection for the name
and insignia of the Red Cross.
2. To procure different means for the transportation of wounded.
3. To found a school for the training of nurses.
4. To continue to take part in the anti-tuberculosis campaign.
Its funds and value of supplies amount to $155,285.
JAPAN.