Dispensaries and Diagnosis.—Many examples might be quoted of arrangements made under Red Cross auspices for the examina tion and treatment of out-patients and the supply of medicine to indigent patients. In the far north, where distances are great, communications slow and medical assistance had hitherto been unobtainable, the Canadian and Finnish Red Cross societies have established outposts with nurses in charge, where advice and treatment can be obtained. In many cities, ambulance stations have been established to deal with street accidents.
Mobile Hospitals and Ambulances.—Flying ambulances are of the utmost value in case of disasters or epidemics and such ambulances are maintained by many societies. The Italian Red Cross maintains complete mobile hospitals in tent form, includ ing wards, pharmacies, operating theatres and accommodation for the personnel, and these hospitals are regularly used with their accompanying personnel in case of severe outbreaks of malaria or seismic disturbances. The large stocks of transport material employed by the different national societies during the war have been largely adapted to peace-time requirements; in particular, motor ambulances are freely used for the transport of emergency cases to hospital. The Czechoslovak Red Cross maintains a fully equipped hospital train of 27 coaches, where patients can obtain advice and treatment in out-of-the-way parts of the country. A hospital ship, the "Viking," has been equipped by the Norwegian Red Cross for the purpose of giving treatment to sick and injured sailors in the ports and fishing stations of the far north. Air ambulances for the rapid transport of serious cases have been adopted by the Italian, Siamese, Spanish, Swedish and other societies.
Training of Nurses and Auxiliary Personnel.—The training and enrolment of nurses and of personnel specialized in ambulance work, pharmaceutical and radiological work, etc., is one of the principal functions of the Red Cross societies. Corps of volun teers for use in emergency are organized, such as the British Voluntary Aid detachments, and nursing schools have been set up in connection with Red Cross hospitals by the French, Japa nese, Norwegian, Swedish and other societies. Social service and public health nursing are also rapidly growing activities.
Constitution of Medical Stocks.—Stocks of transport and ma terial (dressings, medicines, etc.) are constituted by most na
tional societies as a reserve for use in time of disaster or in case of epidemic outbreaks.
Popular Health Instruction.—Red Cross societies are active in the preventive side of the public health campaign. Lectures are organized, pamphlets issued and exhibitions arranged as part of the campaigns against tuberculosis, cancer, venereal diseases and alcoholism. Home nursing and care of the sick and household sanitation are also taught under Red Cross auspices.
Child Welfare.—Child welfare is an important item on the Red Cross programme and efforts are made by all national so cieties to reduce infantile mortality and to afford increased pro tection to mothers and babies. For this purpose, child welfare centres, milk stations and creches have been organized, school hygiene is emphasized, summer colonies are arranged and pre ventoria established. Some societies also provide orphanages and homes for deserted children.
Junior Red Cross.—Reference has already been made to this growing activity in connection with_ the programme of the League of Red Cross societies (see p. 2o).
The close relationship maintained between the central corn mittees of the different national societies and the contact estab lished between Red Cross members in different countries is re sulting in continuously growing international co-operation in Red Cross work throughout the world. An interesting illustration is the agreement signed in 1924 between the Italian and, the Ameri can Red Cross societies, by which it was agreed that American Red Cross members travelling in Italy, or Italian Red Cross members travelling in the United States, might count upon Red Cross assistance. The 12th International Red Cross conference in 1925, basing itself upon this precedent, expressed the hope that an international identity card might be established for the use of Red Cross members in any country, when abroad.