AMBULANCE BODIES AND THEIR EQUIPMENT.
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Important Considerations in the Design and Equipment of a Public Health Vehicle.
• rrHE ambulance is a characteristic municipal vehicle because it is set apart for emergency purposes in the interests of the public health. The various corporations and other bodies concerned have been very active of recent years in acquiring the latest types of motor ambulance and the replacement of out-of-date patterns.
The interior is fitted up in many different ways, but although the details and arrangement of the equipment vary, there are certain broad features which are to be found in every well designed body.
Overall Dimensions.
The length of the stretcher used decides the overall length of the body. If the chassis is short, it may be necessary to design the body so that part of the stretcher is accommodated by the side of the driver, or a few inches can be saved by the use of telescopic handles, but both are inadvisable, because the simplicity of the bodywork and its fittings suffer. When there is the choice between two methods the less complicated is always the better, since it follows that rigid cleanliness is easier to maintain, and mechanism, however simple, may become deranged, and if not endanger a helpless patient at least cause his discomfort. A length of 7 ft. 6 ins. inside on the waist line will be long enough for most types of stretchers, including the handles. Allowing 2 ins. for the driver's partition and the same amount for the back framework, and 3 ft. 8 ins, from the dash to the driver's seat, makes an overall length of the body of 11 ft. 6 ins. .
From this may be deducted, say, 6 ins, for the hack turnunder or inward curve of the back doors, so that, if the body is to be mounted on the chassis without any overhang, it must be 11 ft. behind the dashboard. The ambulance requires, therefore, a chassis long enough for a two-ton box van or a small omnibus, and longer than the majority of even high-powered private chassis. Carrying, as it does, a comparatively light load it follows that the ideal chassis is one which is specially designed for this class of work.
The side members of the chassis frame should be straight, that is without any upward curve to give the necessary clearance over the hind axle, for it is essential that the floor should be level. If a low loading • line is worth studying in a public service omnibus it is equally important in an ambulance, so that the stretcher bearers have the least possible number of steps to negotiate and, moreover, the vehicle will ride more smoothly than one mounted higher. A low chassis is also to be preferred, because the headroom of an ambulance should be ample so that the attendant can stand up in it.
• The body, although it often accommodates only two persons including the patient, is comparatively wide. The stretcher is about 2 ft. wide, there must be a convenient central gangway and a seat on the other side, so that the body is often 5 ft. wide inside, at the waist, or, allowing for the side turnunder and thickness of the side framing, about 4 ft. 6 ins. to 4 ft. 8 ins, wide across the bottom. Here, again, the special chassis is of value so that it has a wide frame requiring little side overhang. A minimum of side overhang allows the cross bearers to be of less substance than when the frame is narrow.
Cleanliness to the point of fastidiousness should be maintained in an ambulance, and this can only be done economically if the body be constructed with that object in view. This is achieved by framing and panelling the body so that the interior has a flush surface throughout and an absence of nooks and corners whence the dirt cannot be easily dislodged. •This is why the body with outside framing has been so much in favour, but the doublepanelled body is often specified now, because the general appearance is improved, and the vehicle is less conspicuous, a matter which may not appear of much moment to the practically minded, but has a psychological value% which has its due effect on all concerned. Although the floor and sides may be smoothly finished and the junction between them properly rounded by means of a curved fillet, yet the inside of the roof is often neglected and the hoopsticks or roof ribs allowed to show. These are easily covered with a plywood panel.
The fittings, such as stretcher mountings, seat supports and so on should be of metal with rounded edges, and designed so that the minimum of lubrication is required to ensure the proper working of hinged members.
The air-filled cushion which is now being used by the private motorist is just the thing for an ambulance. All the upholstery must be covered in a material which is capable of being easily washed, but this is of little avail if the interior is so made up that it is liable to harbour germs. The cushions and squabs or back rests should have as little as possible of any stuffing material in them and be made detachable. This applies not only to any inside trimming work, but also to the driver's seat.
Ventilation and Lighting.
Adequate and well-controlled ventilation is another essential feature of the ambulance. The easiest way to get a good supply of fresh air into the interior is through the driver's partition. As
the body is usually about 6 ft. high, this is in excess of the headroom required above the driving seat. The front roof canopy is not a continuation of the main roofing, but stepped down so that there is a clear space of 12 ins, or so above it. Here one or two louvre panels are inserted, having inside flaps hinged on the bottom so that the supply of air can be regulated, or, alternatively, a hit-andmiss panel is adopted. Further ventilation consists of louvre panels above the side windows and in the upper part of the back doors. In addition, there will usually be two windows to drop on each side. These windows need only partially drop. In order that the means for lifting them shall not spoil the flush surfaces of the body side, the fittings may consist of a balancing -device under the window frame and a spring catch on either side. The clerestory, lantern or monitor type of roof construction is highly suitable for an ambulance, as the headroom is increased where it is chiefly required, that is above the central gangway. The clerestory can be made up wholly or partially of ventilating lights and there is little increase of weight, because the height of the sides of the body can be reduced a few inches.. A refinement is for the ventilation to be arranged so that the interior can, when necessary, be sealed, allowing the air to be exhausted rapidly and thoroughly by means of an electric fan after disinfecting or fumigating, Two windows on each. side are sufficient for lighting purposes and they should be glazed with opaque glass to ensure privacy, two electric roof lamps being employed for night work.
Interior Fittings.
The minimum of interior fittings consists of a stretcher base on the near side and its stretcher, and a long seat on the off side. This seat may be convertible into a stretcher base. The cold water supply consists of a roof tank and corner basin with taps and drain pipe, whilst any hot water required is most -conveniently arranged by carrying a couple of large vacuum flasks. These are carried in a cabinet built against the front partition, which also contains splints and other first-aid requirements. A sliding panel is provided for communication with the driver, and, in cold weather, the interior is heated by means of piping connected up with the exhaust.