First Aid Kit

At the onset of the American Civil War, Clara Barton realized that a ready set of basic supplies was needed to aid wounded soldiers. She was determined to “render any aid possible to the weary and wounded men.” In addition to food, Barton secured bundles of “sewing utensils, thread, needles, thimbles, scissors, strings, salves, tallow, etc.,” to assist the soldiers. She worked with the military and government to ensure that soldiers, and the medical staff who served them, had medical supplies, rations, clothes, and other necessities. As president of the American Red Cross, she recognized the need for supplies and aid during natural disasters, conflicts, accidents, and emergencies.

Barton outlined a pioneer program for the American Red Cross. She noted, “There will be two distinct branches of this work. For the first an emergency case, similar to that in use in England, Germany, and other Red Cross Treaty Nations, and this has been adapted to Red Cross needs and methods under the direct supervision of the Medical Board of the Red Cross Hospital. It contains material and surgical dressings of the best class known to modern surgery. A most valuable part of the permanent equipment of this emergency case is a series of emergency charts, arranged for instantaneous reference, giving simple brief instructions for dealing with every conceivable case of accident, pending the arrival of the doctor. This chart is the combined work of a committee of eminent physicians and surgeons; and, apart from the admirable manner of its arrangement, may be regarded as the highest standard of authority upon first aid methods of treatment known to the world.”

“The other branch of the department will undertake the formation of first aid emergency classes in every city in the country. Ambulance corps will be formed among the employees of mills and factories, industrial corporations, railroad employees, the police, and employees of public departments. These employees will be drilled and instructed in first aid methods, and, apart from the value of the knowledge they will obtain for local use and service, they will form an efficient force to draw from as helpers in great national calamities.”

The first American Red Cross Emergency Cases started production in 1903. Miss Barton’s vision of teaching emergency response and first aid for the injured took shape.