On the completion of each course of instruction an examiner will be
appointed, to be paid by the Red Cross. Such examiner will be other than
the instructor of the class.
No one will be allowed to take an examination in any course who has not
attended at least three-fourths of the lessons of that course.
Certificates will be given successful candidates at the conclusion of
each course of instruction.
After fulfilling the requirements for the organization of a class
and the instructor has been formally appointed the class is free to
begin work, and very interesting work it proves to be. The course of
instruction in first aid begins with an introductory lesson in anatomy
and physiology followed by nine lessons with practical demonstration in
the care of emergencies and accidents most likely to be met with in the
every-day walks of life. It is most desirable that each pupil be given
an opportunity to practice on a model or manikin the various points
covered in the lessons. After the ten lessons are over, those members
of a class who have not been absent more than three times, are ready
for examination. This is given by a physician other than the instructor
of the class who is appointed direct from the first aid office. The
examination is one-third oral, one-third written and one-third practical.
There are fifteen lessons in the Home Nursing course, and these should
prove of absorbing interest and practical value to every one. The
preliminary lessons deal with matters relating to the healthfulness of
the home, such as contamination of food and its prevention, sources of
impurities in water and air, personal hygiene and the preservation of
health. Then follows simple instruction in the home care of the sick, how
to make a sick bed, to transfer a patient from bed to chair, the general
care of a patient, including baths and the use of ordinary sickroom
appliances. For example, the theory of bed-making was being taught in
one of our classes the other day, and after the instructing nurse had
finished her lecture, every member of the class had to make the bed with
and without the patient, the patient in this case being a life-sized doll
covered with oilcloth so that it could be bathed. Several members of the
class did not make the beds satisfactorily and were told to practice
at home so that at the next lesson they could do better. A special
examination also follows this course.
After those Home Nursing lessons are over, it is planned to have a series
of lectures on home economics and dietetics.
So much for the plans and organization, now for the actual classes. The
records show that on March 30th almost six hundred women are taking this
instruction.
Twenty-four classes in First Aid and three in Home Nursing have been
formed in different localities. Both the Young Women’s Christian
Association and the Girls’ Friendly Society have become interested in
this work.
In Genesee, New York, the fox-hunting community has formed a large class
for women to teach them to cope with the accidents of the hunting field.
In Manchester, Connecticut, where the Cheney Brothers have their big
silk mills, classes in both First Aid and Home Nursing have been
organized among the employes.
In Cincinnati a group of society women are taking the First Aid course.
In one of the suburbs of Washington, a group of young mothers have formed
a class.
Other classes are active in Lexington, Ky., Providence, R. I., Detroit,
Mich., North Attleboro, Milton and Manchester, Mass., Milwaukee, Wis.,
York, Pa., Philadelphia, Pa., and Washington, D. C.
Two classes have been formed by the wives of the officers of the Army and
the Navy, and we hope that in time every Army post and Naval stations
will have its regular classes in First Aid and Home Nursing, and that
this work will not only be for the officers’ wives but for the wives of
the enlisted men as well.
Al the end of each set of classes there is an examination and those who
successfully pass receive a Red Cross certificate.
It is also planned that a field day will be held in each State that has
enough classes to warrant it and at this field day First Aid teams of
women will compete for a Bronze Medal. The rules for such a competition
will be supplied upon request.
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