42  THE RED CROSS
    Henri Dunant, a Swiss banker, was travelling in northern Italy in the year 1859 when he witnessed the horrors of the Battle of Solferino. This battle, one of the fiercest of the century, was fought between the armies of France and Italy on the one side and Austria on the other. At the end of the day, some forty thousand dead and wounded lay on the battlefield. Appalled by the sight of so much suffering, Dunant organized a volunteer service to help in feeding and caring for the wounded soldiers. Men and Women and even boys and girls worked side by side, nursing friend and foe alike.
    In 1862, when he was 34 years of age, Dunant published a book called "A Memory of Solferino". In it he described vividly the scenes of pain and distress he had witnessed, and suggested that a relief society should be formed to give help to all those wounded in wars. This society, he explained, would consist of trained volunteers who would always be ready to travel to the scene of any war that might break out. This could be done only if all the countries would allow the society to carry out its work without hindrance, he insisted.
    Dunant's book was a great success. It was read by many rulers and statesmen in Europe. As a result, a conference was held at Geneva and representatives from seventeen states were present. It was decided to go ahead and form an international relief organization. In 1864 a treaty — The Convention of Geneva — was signed and the Red Cross came into being. The design of its badge, a red cross on a white field, was obtained by reversing the colours of Switzerland.
    The Red Cross emblem is now used by many medical services of hospitals, ambulances, and hospital ships. All countries have agreed that whatever bears the Red Cross must never be attacked. It is recognized and respected everywhere as the emblem which means service to the sick and suffering.
    The Red Cross did much work for prisoners-of-war during the two world wars. Many thousands of prisoners remember with gratitude the Red Cross food parcels, the warm clothing, the books and the medical supplies that were sent to them. Many mothers and fathers were thankful for news of their missing sons first brought to them by the Red Cross.
    In peace, too, the Red Cross is quick to send help wherever there is human suffering. Earthquakes, floods, forest fires, tidal waves, tornadoes — all these and many other disasters too — mean pain and distress for the victims. The members of the Red Cross are always among the first who hurry to the scene and are always equipped to bring help and relief.
    All this became possible because one man was so deeply moved and worried by the sufferings of his fellow men that he could not rest until he had done his best to help them. Through the years his story has inspired millions of men, women, and children to devote time and care to the service of others. Today the work goes on, for at any moment disaster may strike somewhere, and the Red Cross must be ready to journey to the ends of the earth, if necessary, and bring relief.