The suggestion that a branch of the American National Red Cross be organized on the Canal Zone was made by Miss Mabel T. Boardman, member of the Executive Committee, to Major C. A. Devol, U. S. A., Chief Quartermaster of the Isthmian Canal Commission, in a letter dated October 26, 1908. At the request of Major Devol, Major Lynch, of the Medical Department, U. S. A., author of the text-book, “How to Prevent Accidents and What to Do for Injuries and Emergencies,” came to the Isthmus in January, 1909, and addressed Red Cross meetings at Ancon, Culebra, Gorgona and Cristobal. Major Devol accompanied Major Lynch, and invited all persons interested to help organize a Canal Zone Branch. On January 17, at a meeting held in the Hotel Tivoli, at Ancon, a permanent organization was effected, with Major C. A. Devol as president; Mr H. D. Reed, treasurer; Miss J. Macklin Beattie, secretary. The Canal Zone was divided into fourteen districts, and the work of perfecting district organizations was begun. At a meeting held in the Hotel Tivoli, February 28, twelve district organizations were represented. The central organization was perfected by electing Mrs. Lorin C. Collins, Lieutenant-Colonel John L. Phillips, Major Chester Harding, and Mr. A. Bruce Minear an executive committee; and Mr. W. W. Warwick, auditor. A Committee on First Aid Lectures was appointed, consisting of Lieutenant-Colonel Phillips and Mr. H. D. Reed. A noteworthy event in the early history of the Canal Zone Branch was the visit of President-elect Taft, National President of the Red Cross, to the Canal Zone in February, 1909. On the night of February 3 he made an address at the Commission Club house in Culebra, in which he outlined the work of the Red Cross. The meeting was attended by over 1,200 members of the Red Cross, and had a marked effect in arousing popular interest in this most important work. The Canal Zone has now a membership of 1,300, divided among fourteen districts. The following are the officers of the district organizations: Ancon—Dr. John L. Phillips, chairman. Corozal—Alfred P. James, chairman. Pedro Miguel—Ernest Bitely, chairman. Paraiso—Harry Dundas, chairman. Culebra—Mrs. C. A. Devol, chairman. Gatun—Major William L. Sibert, chairman. Cristobal—Dr. M. E. Connor, chairman. Empire—W. M. Wood, acting chairman. Las Cascadas—Mrs. Frank I. McAllister, acting chairman. Bas Obispo—X. D. Holt, acting chairman. Camp Elliott—Mrs. B. F. Fuller, acting chairman. Gorgona—Mrs. Frank M. Morrison, acting chairman. San Pablo—V. L. Kearney, acting chairman. Tabernilla—C. D. Thaxton, acting chairman. THE USE AND ABUSE OF THE RED CROSS BRASSARD By G. H. RICHARDSON, M. D., Late First Lieutenant Medical Reserve Corps, U. S. A.