TUBERCULOSIS DEPARTMENT

Over twelve hundred designs for the Red Cross Christmas Stamp were received in response to the circulars sent out announcing a competition. The general average of these far exceeded the most sanguine anticipations. A large proportion of the drawings were excellent in execution and in ingenuity of arrangement and a fair number were of distinct artistic merit. Many, which were commendable in design and technique, could not be considered because they were too elaborate and too full of detail to stand reduction from three inches to seven-eighths of an inch square. This dimension required simple masses and distinctness of lettering and especial prominence of the Red Cross itself.

Enlarged Design of Red Cross Christmas Stamp for 1909. Colors to be Red and Green.

The exhibition was a remarkable object lesson proving a wide-spread interest in decorative design and a high average of taste and skill in this direction.

At the request of the Red Cross the Fine Arts Federation of New York named the following jury to pass upon the drawings: Mr. F. D. Millet, Mr. C. Y. Turner and Mr. Paul Bartlett. After a long and careful study of the exhibition, the following awards were made: Mr. Carl Wingate, New York City, First Prize; Mr. Augusto Bissiri, South Framingham, Massachusetts, Second Prize; Miss Grace D. Gerow, Jersey City, New Jersey, Third Prize.

The following persons were awarded Honorable Mention: Miss Sara B. Hill, of New York City; Mr. William F. Rauchsnabel, San Francisco, Cal.; Mr. R. A. Dunn, Providence, R. I.; Mr. W. P. McDonald, Cincinnati, Ohio; Miss Mary W. Bonsall, Philadelphia, Pa.; Mr. John H. Zeh, Philadelphia, Pa.; Miss Maud H. Lanktree, Berkeley, Cal.; Mr. Joseph N. Pearce, Philadelphia, Pa.; Mr. Silvio Paini, Columbus, Ohio; Mr. William Von Zell, Indianapolis, Ind.

(Signed) F. D. MILLET,For the Jury.

All the drawings were exhibited from May 19th to May 24th, inclusive, in the Hemicycle of the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the use of which was kindly given by the Directors of that institution for the purpose, and a large number of people visited the exhibition. On the afternoon of the last day President Taft, who is also President of the Red Cross, examined the exhibition with great interest and attention and approved the choice made by the jury. A reproduction of the First Prize Design in the reduced size is given in theBulletin. The OctoberBulletinwill contain reproductions of all the designs selected by the jury for award and also a further account of the exhibitions in Wilmington and Philadelphia where the drawings were shown.

The Tent Colony for Tuberculous Children was opened in Cleveland during the fall of 1907 through the co-operative efforts of several organizations which had felt for some years the extreme need of removing temporarily from their homes children who were probably suffering from tuberculosis of the lungs.

Cleveland Camp for Tuberculous Children.

The Camp accommodated eight children during two months that fall and twenty during five months in 1908. The tents used are similar to those at the Ottawa (Illinois) Sanatorium and were judged large enough for two children each. Beside a nurse and assistant the Camp employs a cook and a laundress with the occasional help of a cleaning woman.

In addition to the tents the equipment consists of three one-story summer buildings—one for laundry and store-room, one for kitchen and bathroom, and the third for children’s dining and wet-weather playroom, pantry and nurses’ dining room.

Patients at the Cleveland Camp for Tuberculous Children Spend Much Time Outdoors Under the Trees.

Showing Design of Cottages in Cleveland Camp for Tuberculous Children.

The children range in age from five to fourteen years, boys and girls, and are selected after examination by the Tuberculosis Dispensary physicians because they already show an envolvement or because their physical condition, home environment or history indicates it as imminent, but none are accepted unless the prognosis is at least fair.

The days are made as regular as possible in point of baths, meals, rest-hours, lessons and play. Temperatures and weight charts are made up daily and diet or rest regulated accordingly under the direction of the physician on his weekly or semi-weekly visit.

One of the Amusements at the Cleveland Camp for Tuberculous Children.

It is endeavored to observe a proper and effective technique. Kitchen and laundry are fenced off from the rest of the grounds. The attendants eat in separate rooms from the children and from dishes kept separate from theirs. All utensils used by the patients are washed and sterilized in a pantry which belongs to them and the children are seated at table in such a manner as not directly to face one another. Their clothing and bedding is put immediately after use into water and washed separate from the attendants’ clothing.

The children have gained surprisingly in appearance and weight and the medical examinations show in all cases, which prolong the treatment, similar results in the lungs.

The New Hampshire Red Cross Branch is doing excellent work with the proceeds of the sale of the Christmas Stamps. In speaking of this work, an editorial in the BostonHeraldsays:

“The proceeds of the sale of Red Cross Christmas Stamps are being used by the New Hampshire Branch of the Red Cross and by the Federation of Women’s Clubs in that State for addressing a pertinent healthtalk to the people. A placard has been prepared bearing three concise facts concerning tuberculosis—warning the public that the disease is contagious, and pointing out methods for its cure and prevention. The Boston & Maine Railroad has volunteered to place the placard in all its New Hampshire stations. And a further circulation in public places will be undertaken. The crusade against tuberculosis can be successful only by educating the public. Curative and preventive success depend on public co-operation. The simplest rules of living, cleanliness, exercise and temperance are the most effective combatants of the disease. Every means for keeping those rules before the public mind aids not only in checking the spread of tuberculosis, but in advancing the general health of the community.”

The ConcordMonitor, in speaking of the distribution of posters, says:

“The posters, prepared by the New Hampshire Branch of the National Red Cross, are now being distributed throughout New Hampshire. Through the kindness of Mr. Frank Barr, Third Vice-President of the Boston & Maine Railroad, copies are being placed in all stations and the agents have been requested to see that they are displayed in a conspicuous place and not defaced. The New Hampshire Federation of Woman’s Clubs is making distribution in their several communities. The poster has attracted considerable attention outside of the state by people engaged in the same work elsewhere, as being most concise in every way.

Anyone desiring to receive copies of this poster can have them by addressing the New Hampshire Branch of the National Red Cross, Monadnock, New Hampshire, and enclosing two cents apiece for postage. It is hoped that the state will be fairly ablaze with these and that people interested in them will see that the posters are not injured or defaced.

It is the expectation to furnish a slide of this poster to all the moving picture shows in the state, hoping they will assist in calling the attention of the public to certain truths in regard to tuberculosis, by displaying this slide.

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