A NOVEL , MOBILE DISPENSARY FOR ANIMALS.
Page 18
Page 19
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Details of an Interesting Vehicle which Can Be Used Both for Lecturing and as an Animal Hospital.
THE MOTOR vehicle, as used for commercial and municipal purposes, has become such a familiar feature that it is difficult to believe new, uses can be discovered for it, and yet in the interesting vehicle' which we inns; trate on this and the next` page .stich a use—and an. important one at that– has been found. The vehicle is a mobile dispensary and operating theatre for animals belonging to the poorer classes, which require treatment. It combines the,practical work with publicity on behalf of the cause which it represents and also acts as a platform from which propaganda connected with the treatment and care of animals is disseminated, thiszpropaganda taking the form bath of verbal advice and the distribution of suitable pamphlets.
The vehicle was designed by Capt. Wallis, of the _Albany Carriage
Ltd., St. Albans, to the order of the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals of the Poor,a very deserving institution 'founded by the Barmless de Teissier and Mrs. Dickin in 1919, and having its first headquarters and dispensary in a cellar in Whitechapel.
Although the scheme is maintained by voluntary subscriptions, the progress made with it has been exceptionally rapid. It now has offices at 14 Clifford Street, New Bond Street, London, W.1; a head dispensary at 542, Commercial Road, London; E.1; numerous branch dispensaries in different parts cf London, and also one. at Exeter When inspecting the new departure, we had the pleasure of meeting the hon. organizing secretary, Mr. G. W. Martin, who is very proud of the way in which the caravan dispensary is equipped. For several weeks it has been travelling about London, attending meetings organ.
B34
ized,in'order to forward• the claims of the Dispensary far the sympathy of the public, but it has now settled down to its real work. This consists af standing two hours on each of three pitchesevery day is a certain district until sufficiently well known, when it will proceed to three fresh pitches, whilst a
stationary dispensary is provided for the district just visited. It is the object of the society to previde a stationary dispensary for every square mile of London, and it is believed that the motor caravan will do a,tremendaus amount of geed in aiding' this project. Apart from this work, it is proposed to make an extended tour--in Buckinghamshire. Last year a horsed caravan was employee], and this toured I-Tertfardshire, but-it is certain that very much more ground can be covered and better service given with the new vehicle.
The staff actually 'carried comprises three persons--the driver, the doctor, and 'an assistant. The doctor, in addition to dispensing -and performing operations, acts also as a lecturer.
The general design of the caravan can be seen from' our illustrations. The chassis employed is a high-geared Ford tormer, and the body is of somewhat large dimensions, particularly as regards width. This question of width has caused one disadvantage, and that is a tendency to roll, even when the vehicle is stationary, when members of the staff are walking "about inside the body. To prevent this special jacks will be situated under the sides when
. the vehicle is at rest. •
At the rear is a platform somewhat resernbling a tailboard, but it is not used for closihg in the back, two double doors being utilized for this purpose. When the vehicle is stationary this platform' can be dropped to a horizontal position and supported there by two hinged legs. The doors can then be opened .and a folding table or shelf on the inside o' the near-aide door can be used for dispensing, or as a table upon which to place smaller animals for de; monstratians of bandaging, etc.
The platform is also used for lecturing purposes, but, as use is semetimes made of very large charts; including-lifesize pictures of ■Ruch animals as the _horse,: provision bas.been made. to move the platform to the off side of the body
so that this side may be used as a rest for the charts; suitable metal supports are permanently provided on the off side for this purpose.
On the inner side of each double door are fiddles for holding the numerous bottles containing the various chemicals required in dispensing. The bottoms of the fiddles are covered with felt. The arrangement is particularly neat, and entirely prevents rattling and any risk of breakage.
On entering the vehicle the first things observed, both at the left and right, are pigeon-holes for carrying the literature for distribution. Beneath these are large lockers. At the left and towards the centre is a lethal chamber with glass windows in the lid and front, and sufficiently large to take dogs and other animals of lair size. Immediately opposite this is another box, which is at present used for carrying used bandages, etc., and which might, when required, be used for carrying away the animals which have been dealt with in the lethal chamber.
In the centre of the partition between driver and interior is a small but convenient operating table, the sides of which can be extended by means of folding flaps. This table is so arranged that, when necessary, three persons can be disposed around it. Above arid to the left and right of this table are instrument cupboards, in which the operating knives, scalpels, and forceps, etc., are neatly disposed.
In the corner to the right of the operating table is a small, well-fitted wash hand basin with a waste pipe leading to the ground outside the vehicle. The necessary water for this basin is carried in a Ill-gallon storage tank situated on the roof of the cab, access to which is gainea by a ladder fastened permanently at the near side, which permits the tank to be filled without any great trouble.
During the day adequate light is afforded by a clerestory roof, the centre window at each, aide of which opens outwards from the bottom, a window at each side of the double folding doors at the back, and large curtained windows in the centre of each side. The last-named windows can also be opened outwards but, owing to the width of the vehicle, must be closed while it is travelling.
At night-time, or at other times when internal illumination is required, sufficient light is afforded by three electric bulbs, one over the operating taloh3 (this being adjustable for position), a centre roof light, and the third over the lecture platform, this last being so arranged that the light is thrown forward. These lamps are supplied by the ordinary battery of the Pord.
Much consideration was given to the question of a satisfactory flooring
material, and after a certain amount of experimenting it was decided to use sheet rubber. This, apart from standing satisfactorily the vibration caused when travelling, can easily be washed, and thus assists in keeping the whole vehicle in a sanitary condition. As the floor level is rather high, a movable set of steps is carried.
Careful attention has been paid to the protection of the driver. The cab is well designed, and a double windscreen with an adjustable portion at the driver's side is provided. On the front wings are bolted brackets carrying white knobs, which are extended to the clearance width of the vehicle, and thus assist the driver satisfactorily to negotiate traffic, or narrow entrances, which might be wide enough for the front of the vehicle, but would not permit the entrance a the body.
The animals, etc., treated by the society include monkeys, goats, pigeons, white mice, horses, and, in particular, ousters' donkeys, and it must he emphasized that the attendance is free of all charge.
As a proof of the growth of the work carried out, it may be mentioned that during therfirst three months of this year the Dispensary has treated more cases than in the first six months of last year. Over 65,000 animals were attended to last year, and the average weekly treatments now being 2;000.