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A Motor Ambulance.

27th April 1905, Page 16
27th April 1905
Page 16
Page 16, 27th April 1905 — A Motor Ambulance.
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

One of the earliest uses to which the motor vehicle ought to have been applied was in the direction of ambulance work. It is astonishing when one considers the numerous applications of the internal combustion motor that those connected with the alleviation of human misery have been almost entirely excluded. Taking only London, and considering the large number of accidents daily occurring, with the necessity of prompt removal to the nearest hospital, it is a matter for wonder that the responsible authorities persist in .using the antiquated horsed and hand ambulances still seen about our streets. London possesses horsed ambulances .(drawn, of course, by horses), but the poor human who meets with an accident has to suffer intolerable misery whilst being conveyed to the hospital in a ramshackle four-wheeled .cab or on a bone-shattering police ambulance. Only those who have (for the sake of experiment) lain in one of the latter contraptions of wood and iron, and been wheeled over rough cobble stones, can have the remotest conception of the torment given by a long journey over differing road surfaces. In London, and all cities and towns of any importance, motor ambulances on similar lines to those shown are badly needed. The engine and transmission generally follow the system usual with the vehicles of the Motor Car Emporium, and particulars have been given in recent issues of this journal. It is to the body construction and spring suspension that we desire to draw the particular attention of Pour readers. The body is so arranged as to provide sufficient length for more than-the space that would be occupied by a full-grown man. As will be noticed from the sectional ,view, means are provided for supporting one stretcher on the floor, and the second stretcher on a platform carried above it. The upper platform can be swung up to the side when only one person is carried, and the stretchers run in .upon rollers. A further means of isolating vibration can be .arranged by springs beneath the stretcher platforms. The form of the roof gives needful ventilation, and a folding .seat at the extreme rear is provided for a nurse or attendant. The greater advantages of a motor ambulance over a horsed vehicle hardly need emphasising on such points as quickness in reaching the scene of an accident, ease of the patient, facility in providing first aid to the patient whilst en route, steadiness of motion, etc.

Philanthropists have devoted a good deal of energy to the -promotion of schemes having for their object the establishAnent of local horsed ambulances for immediate service when an accident is notified. It is not the province of this journal to enter into the question of local politics, but we may be pardoned for just touching the fringe of a very debatable subject, and pointing out the line where the greatest help can be given. The fault of all voluntary services of such a nature is the want of cohesion between different districts and the possibility of overlapping. Well-meaning efforts make pro vision for neighbour

hoods where there is a large resident population, but a very small factory element ; whilst the manufacturing district which may provide nearly all the casualties is left without any ambulance help. But even in the rare instances where assistance is schemed to suit a neighbourhood's needs the necessary promptness is not securable by presentday methods. A horse has to he got out of stable and placed in the shafts of the vehicle, Many valuable minutes are thus lost which could be gained by using that vehicle which only wants the turn of a handle to set it in motion. We believe the true solution of the ambulance question will be solved only by asking local authorities to undertake the duty. Until the arrival of that time, charitable persons could do no better service to their fellows than by the provision of motor ambulances.

It seems the only possible solution of a problem which has been a stumbling block to all charitable effort for numberless years, to let charity provide the hospitals and dispensaries and make the means of reaching them rate-aided and compulsory. We feel sure that however discussion might rage !Around many questions,no-one would -object to this course. Rear View, showing two stretcher slides and attendant's seat.

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Locations: London

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