The record-union., 1891-10-23
IT is SORELY NEEDED.
City Physician Nichols Talks on the
Ambulance Question.
Sacramento Behind the Times, and
Being Laughed At-The Deadly
Express Wagon Condemned.

"What is being done with reference to
establishing an ambulance service in
Sacramento?'' asked a RECoRD-UNIoN
reporter of City Physician C. B. Nichols
yesterday.
Absolutely nothing so far as can
learn," said the doctor. with an air OF
despondency
''It is shame and disgrace, too" he
continued. Sacramento should have
been equipped with one of these systems
years ago. But it appears that even the
old adage of
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER
Does not work here. We are too far be-
hind the times. Eastern people who
come out here and see us bouncing the
sick and injured over the cobbles III
rickety express wagons laugh at us and
call us heathens, brutes, etc. l don't
blame them either 1t is nothing short
OF criminal negligence on the part of the
city government, and / heartily concur
with Chief of Police Drew and Captain
Lee in their denunciaJlon OF the false
economy that is being practiced in this
regard. An ambulance would be of great
assistance to the police in their work, and
would pay for itself in short time.
''The ambulance system is not new
fad, at ALL said DR.. Nichols, warming
up to the subject. 'sIt has been in use
in the United States for a long time IN all
of the larger cities, and wherever tried
have proved eminently successful. DIR.
Edward b. Dalton Of New \ ork was the
originator of the system. Of course there
were ambulances IN the army during the
late war, but DR.. Dalton's was the first to
be introduced in city. 1t appears that
sea captain
HAD BEEN INJURED
On one of the docks, and was taken to
the Bellevue Hospital in an express
wagon, q Ld Sacramento. Upon arriving
at the hospital, the Commissioners Of
Charities and Corrections were there, as
were also a number of physicians, in
Guiding DR.. Dalton, who was an assocl-
ate surgeon there. 1t was Immediately
seen by all that something better was
needed than an express wagon, and Dr.
Dalton advanced the idea of the ambu-
lance. He was directed to draw up a re-
port embodying this suggestion, and de-
ScriDing what was needed. He did SO,
and his recommendations were adopted
and turned over to the city authorities.
The latter were not slow to see the value
OF the suggestion, and on December z,
1869, the system was introduced in New
York under the supervision of Thomas ).
Bowman.
Now" continued the doctor enthusi-
astically, as he drew a note book from
his pocket, II am going to give you some
figures, to show how this system IN
creased in usefulness in New York. You
had better take them down, as they Will
be useful to you. During the year OF
1873 the New York ambulance system
was called upon l,4S4 times. IN the year
ISS3-just ten years later-it was called
upon l0.4I3 times. Does that look as if
ambulances were ornamental rather than
useful? / guess not. The United States
has the distinction of first adopting these
systems. But Europe has not been slow
to follow. Paris
SOON SAW THE VALUE
Of them. and when Dr. Nanchtel of that
city referred to the necessity of emulating
the example of New York, he met with
hearty support Victor Hugo wrote, in
support OF the doctors effort to introduce
the system, New York has commenced,
Paris will continue that which you pro-
pose and which is suggested by reason,
and by evidence. The success of the
scheme will confirm your affirmation. 1t
is clear, it is definite, it is humane
Paris was not long in introducing the
system, and it is one of the most perfect
and complete now in existence.
Every American city that has adopted
the system would not part with it for
anything The motto of the Chicago
Ambulance Service is: TO save one good
life is a greater blessing than to punish
many criminals
''These ambulances are made in large
numbers in New York and Concord, Il.
II. They cost from 500 to 500 each.'
WHAT THEY SHOULD BE LIKE.
DR.. Nichols said he did not favor the
style Of uncovered police ambulance that
is in use in San Francisco. The covered
ambulance would appear better, and
would afford protection to the patient
from the sun and rains. The vehicle
should be made attractive, light and easily
handled, and should be painted in such q
manner as to distinguish il from the
BLACK Maria," or the undertakers' OF
COroner's wagons. BY painting them in
an attractive and distinct way they would
be recognized Immediately, and driver,
of other vehicles would give the right O
way. The legislature Of New York, saiC
DR.. Nichols, passed a SPECIAL law giving
the ambulances the right of way over nj
vehicles except the fire engines anC
United States mail wagons
'What weaneed in Sacramento" SAID
the doctor. in conclusion, lis one ambu-
lance fitted up in the manner / have de
scribed. 1t should carry splints, band
ages, surgical instruments, stimulants
and lanterns, besides stretcher and adj
Unstable mattress. This mattress is sc
arranged that it can be drawn out until
one end rests upon the sidewalk. The
injured person is
ATTENDED TO TEMPORARILY
And placed upon the mattress, which
then slides back into place. The ambu.
lance system should be like that of the
fire department. The horses and vehicle
should be ever ready to answer a call
and quickly, too. The man who is il
charge should be intelligent and should bt
taught how to put temporary spIints OF
broken limbs, to apply a compress to
bleeding wound and do such other tempo
Fary work. OF course, in many cases tht
City Physician could accompany the am
bulance, but this could not be depended
upon. The City Physician generally ha.
his hands pretty full. In New York anC
other cities, however, regular physician:
are employed who do not do anything
but accompany the particular ambulanc,
to which they are assigned on all of it
1rips. 1t would be rather wild, though
10 hope that such would be the case il
Sacramento, even if we ever get an am
bulance.
Il do earnestly hope that the Cit,
Trustees will look al this matter seri
ously. 1t is a serious matter. it canno
be a question of economy at ALL for tn
money that is paid ont for the hire OF ex
press wagons and carriages would sool
pay for an ambulance"
HELD UP.