A Mobile Dental Clinic
Page 30
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with ambulance adaptability
The German Miesen Special Body Equipped Primarily as a Dentist's Travelling Clinic Could be Used as an Operating Ambulance in Time of War
ABOUT 10 years ago, the first special body •for a dentist's travelling clinic was built at Bonn. As part of the German " keep-fit " campaign, dental surgeons travel from town to town in specially designed and equipped vehicles to care for the schoolchildren's teeth. 1Vlieseia Body Manufacturers was the first firm to design and construct such a type, and the success of their mobile dental clinic was so great that many other German districts were provided with similar mobile outfits.
It is interesting to observe that not only does this type of vehicle serve a peace-time purpose, but it may easily be adapted to serve as an operating ambulance, in time of war. The interior was specially designed by Dr. Elizabeth Schenk and the latest design is the result of experience during the past decade, having regard, on the one hand, to efficient dentistry, and, on the other, to the reactions of the child ill the dental surgery.
All metal fittings, as well as all movable additional equipment, are chromiumplated, and the tops of tables and medicine cabinets are covered with opalescent glass, the whole giving an immediate impression of cleanliness. The various dental instruments are safely stowed away in drawers, out of sight. In order to avoid vaporization when sterilizing the many instruments, the vehicle has been equipped with a special non-vaporizing apparatus.
An electric ventilating apparatus in the ceiling ensures good air-conditioning, and is necessary for avoiding the smell of medicines and dental liquids.
.e.28 In the event of war, as already mentioned, the dentist's chair can be easily converted into an operating table for dealing with casualties. Wherever necessary, the vehicle may also be used as a first-aid station, as for example in the case of serious traffic accidents, mass meetings, or air raids.
The latest sanitary knowledge is incorporated in the design of this vehicle, the body of which is mounted on Opel or Mercedes chassis. The whole interior is protected against variations of temperature by the use of All 01 foils between the wall panels. All water pipes and electric wiring are also hidden behind these panels.
Entering from the rear by two wide folding steps, one sees on the left-hand side, by the entrance doors, a medical cabinet with 12 drawers • containing instruments. This cabinet can be moved on small rubber wheels and placed in the most convenient position. By its side a water basin is attached te the wall; hot and cold supplies can be obtained by turning a long pivoting lever on the water tap.
Below the large side-window, a writing table, with plenty of drawers for registration and filing, is provided, whilst on top of this table may be placed a small additional desk to enable writing to be done while standing.
Along the right wall, there is an enclosed medical cabinet containing other instruments and appliances. There arc also two additional water basins, one for cleaning dental instruments and the other for the use of a nurse. Both have hot and cold water. Above these two basins, the electrical apparatus for dry sterilization is mounted. Water is supplied from a high-pressure tank of about 13 gallons. A. special tank for waste water is also provided.
A small laundry cabinet stores plenty
of bandaging, as well as medicines am cleaning material. The handy switch board for the electrical equipment combined with a special gauge showing the pressure in the fresh-water tank Naturally, an electric drilling machini is provided.
On the wall between the cab and th. interior of the dentist's room, there i a large and softly sprung bench whicl may be used as a berth.
The ivory-coloured wall panels in th interior of the vehicle are acid-prool A small compartment, immediate!. behind the rear wheels on the right: hand side, is provided for storing long electric cable to . connect th
• electrical system of the vehicle wit
local power, 1 R.L.B.