Motor Ambulances for Local Authorities.
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In its short existence, the petrol motor has been adapted to so many UtieS, that it is not surprising that itcapabilities are a matter of serious consideration to those \via, are concerned in the transport of the sick. To the officials of our local authorities, the question is one of particu;ar interest, and especially to those who are engaged in Ivor]: in rural district,. The cost of upkeep of a hospital is large, even the smallest having an expenditure that runs into leer figures each year. The area supplied by a hospital is limited by the distance to which fever patients may be moved, and, V% bile the opinions of various medical authorities differ, there is no doubt that serious cases cannot be transported I urther than a distance represented by a journey of from an hour te an hour and a half's duration. In the county in
hich ht: writer is interested, the provision of a motor ambulance means that two sanitary authorities can combine in the use of one hospital, saving thereby the difference betweea the cost of running a motor vehicle and the upkeep of a comp/ete hoTital with its expensive stall..
Comfort and Despatch.
To obtain I he utmost possible advantage of such an ambulance, it must be understood that patients are to be carried \yid' all the comfort, it not the luxury, id a wellappointed private motorcar. Speed means an increase of area to be served by one hospital, and a journey may be prolonged, without injury to the patient, in a comfortable easy running vehicle. The body of a magnified bread van, mounted On an omnibus chassis, with an averagr speed of twelve miles an hour, is not at all the kind of carriage to be desired. Something more on the lines of a luxurious touring Daimler Cr Napier, with limousine body lengthened to admit of a patient's reclining at full length, is rather the ideal to be sought. It must not be assumed that a large number of patients are to be carried at one time. Only one nurse is sent out from a fever hospital with an ambulance, and, if the case is a serious one, she has quite enough to do in attending to the single person. Some hospitals make it a rule that a nurse is not to bring in more than ore case at a dune, if the patient is recumbent. One full-length stretcher for general use is necessary; a second, hung oil slings or otherwise, that can be used on emergency, may at times be convenient.
Some Dimensions.
The Jedburgh and Melrose Joint Hospital Committee, which the writer has the honour of advising, has just ordered a motor ambulance designed to meet their requirements by the Albion Motor Car Company, of Glasgow. The chassis is of the standard type manufactured for 1611.p. touring cars, and the wheel base is only 9 feet 8 inches, as the car may have to he got into some awkward places on narrow roads in villages or farms. The tires are 88umm. by 120mm. grooved Dunlops, those on the rear wheels being filled with Elastes. The Dunlop detachable rim is fitted. The finish of the body is in nantral wood, varnished, and bright metal work is kept down to a minimum, in order to save expenses in cleaning. What there is bright is nickel plated. The vehicle is designed to carry five persons—all that is desirable if they are adults. Of course, a larger number could be conveyed at one time, if children. The interior is 6 feet 6 inches long by 4 feet 6 inches wide, with a height in the centre of about 5 feet 3 inches. Lighting is by sliding and fixed windows, on all sides, loose curtains or blinds of material that may be easily disinfected being provided.
Ventilation.
The ventilation of ambulances is always a matter of difficulty, some cases being of a nature to render ample ventilation necessary, while a draught may be a great inconvenience to many. Experience with existing horsed ambulances shows that there is room for improvement. After examination of a number of ambulances of various kinds, it has been decided to admit air at the top, in front, to conduct it downwards to near the floor in a flue capable of being opened for cleaning, and to allow it to enter the interior at a Point somewhat below the level of the stretcher. Provision for the escape of air is provided by slits at the upper part of the sides and tops of the doors, in the rear. 1t1 openings are provided with shutters, so that the nurse in charge may regulate the air currents as may be found necessary. In warm weather, the sliding windows may also be opened.
Access and Suspension.
As assistance in moving patients is not always easily to be obtained, the Army type of stretcher, which necessitates one of the carrier's getting into the vehicle to fix it in place, has been discarded in favour of one of the box type, running on rollers. The foot may be placed on the supports, and the stretcher pushed home from the rear, without anyone's getting into the carriage. When in place, it is supported on pneumatic cushions, so as to diminish vibration and jar as much as possible. In addition to the ordinary springing, the laxly of the carriage is supported on rubber blocks with the same object. The stretcher is provided with a bed-rest, adjustable to any angle comfortable to the patient. The step is substantial and rigid, in order that there may be no slipping when assisting patients in or out.
Interior Fittings.
All internal fittings are attached by clamps, easy of detachment, and can be removed within a few minutes. This is a useful feature or two reasons first, in order that the fittings and interior may be thoroughly and easily disinfected after use; and, second, in order that the ambulance, cleared of fittings, may be sent back to the house from which the patient has been removed, to convey clothing, bedding, carpets, curtains, and other such contents of the sick room to the hospital, for disinflation in the steam disinfector. This apparatus itself, it is interesting to note, is also the result of engineering science as applied to motoring, steam being raised in a flash generator originally designed for cars. There are other details which have received particular attention, but the above description may be sufficient to indicate the nature of the effort made to render this vehicle suitable for the special work described.