The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-28
TIE AMBULANCE SYSTEM oFxEW PORK.

TIE AMBULANCE SYSTEM oFNEW FORK.
Statement from Dr. Nc Burney ana Dr.
stimson.
To THE EDITOR OF The SuN-sir: During
tho last few weeks the newspapers have printed
number OF articles criticising with consid-
cradle severity the ambulance service OF this
city. This criticism has usually accompanied
and been based upon reports Of alleged negli-
gonce or ignorance on the part OF ambulance
surgeons or OF such lack OF sympathy In the
performance Of their duties IA would amount.
II true. to actual brutality. Tho other side OF
tho cnse has been partly presented in an occa-
sonal article and in editorial comments. but
tho great majority OF tho publications
have been occupied solely with the al
legged errors and defects OF tho SERVICE
In view Of this fact II has seemed desirable to
friends Of organized charity that some VI those
who are familiar with the subject should make
to the public u statement OF the character OF
the ambulance service, and Of the conditions
under which it is performed. TO the end that
an opportunity may be given to those who nre
Interested in the matter to form Trustworthy
opinion as to its merits and dement's.
The undersigned arc now. and for some
yeuiS HHNe DCcH uNtcnulHH SuIstouS ul
Roosevelt and the New York Hospitals. re-
spectively: they take part in the selection VI
the ambulance surgeons supervise their work.
and have charge ofthe patients brought in by
tho ambulance. They have also served In tho
same capacity at Bellcvue and other hospitals.
The ambulance service OF tho city Is carried
on partly by tho Commissioners Of Charities
and Correction at Bellevue Gouverneur. and
Harlem hospitals. and In part by n few Of the
private hospitals. tho New York. with its
Chambers street branch the Roosevelt. tho
st. Vincent. tho Presbyterian. and tho Man
haitian. ..r...'t
The statements that we have to make are
based in detail upon the conditions existing Mt
the New York. Chambers street aud Roose-
velt but. to the best OF our knowledge and
belief. they arc equally true In general Of the
other hospitals. both public and private.
Each OF these three hospitals provides two
ambulances with relays Of horses. drivers. and
stabenon. Tho stable and harness arrange
ments are similar to those In use by the Fire
Department. 50 that within minute after the
signal has been given from the Office OF the
hospital tho ambulance has departed on its
errand. This is tho invariable practice. and
the rule of tho hospital Is. and long has been.
rigid that an ambulance surgeon while on
duty shall not go out OF hearing Of the gong
and ut tho New York. turns on the electric
atty ana o M reasd tS
whatever other work he may DO en-:
gagged in when the call sounds. A. second
the absence Of the first. It occasionally hap
iances arc out or u second call while one am
bulance is tenn porarily disabled. and those are
s% s 9n a4se an w Th nY So a ho
Grand Jury stated Officially last July that the
utcs after the receipt Of the call. and that do
lay, occurred only III tho transmission OF tho
The call for an ambulance is transmitted to
tho hospital by one OF two routes it may be
sent % station Nv ar
hospital: or it may. come over the Fire Depart
ment wires. for, the ire alarm boxes are so
calls sound simultaneously, in all the hospitals.
gets to it first In connection with this it may
DO mentioned that great deal Of harsh news
that an ambulance surgeon refuses to take u
patient who is not in his district. On the
contrary, he IS anxious to take him. for
duty that deals solely with sickness and suf-
iering is the satisfaction that comes from
hospital Thess calls are as
hurry calls. and they are tha ones that espe-
sally bring tho YOUNG stairS three
to the tailboard. and urge the horse to II run.
4 book is kept in the office n which the time
the place where tho patient was found. and the
diagnosis are recorded.
The ambulance surgeon Is member Of The
during the middle period OF his hospital
course; that is. after he has already passed one
term in preparation for it. The members OF
tho staff are selected after a competitive ex-
animation. from among candidates who are
positions to be filled and they are. beyond
Question tho very best OF those WHO arc
Sic "a, ONE from distant Schools Harvard Yale.
l,h'Hdelphia. to try for the positions. All OF
thnrn have had previous experieYco as dress
pljals. Al Chanbers street the men are not
scIected by ompotitive examination: the Pc
make 1t exceptionally Advantageous to men MOI Of
eexpecleRce. and consequently the members OF
its staff are usually thrse Quarters Of ths
course in some other hospital.
What is the work for the doing Of which this
spond to any call that is sent in by tho police:
to respond instantly. nnhesitatingly at any
else and without stopping to inHnire ' 70 the
character or tho urgency OF the call. Primarily.
twas intended only for the care and comfort
OF those who need to be- received into u hos
pital. but it has grown into q vast additional
system Of out door relief. OF the treatment Of
hospital care. This needs to be borne in mind
in criticising alleged refusals to receive
patients Ina large promotion Of calls neither
expectation that hospital care will be- required
or accepted
The amount of tho work Is indicated by the
following, figures: During the last year. 1881:
the Chambers street ambulance was called out
:}.t4U times: the New York. 1.2O0; the Roose-
average for the city 81 calls
1t can hardly b" necessary to say that pri.
vats hospital Is n private charity and is under
no obligation to maintain this service indeed.
many hospitals do not maintain IT.. or that it
receives no pay for doing It: or that no mem
for it.. Ana yet. SO easily does tho notion OF u
vested right arise from recurrent favor. one
of our hospitals was severely criticised by the
press because it objected to going to the ex-
pcnse some S2.MO q making a new con.
the latter had been placed in the subway.
Much Of this work Is work that the city pays
other people to do. Police surgeons are ON.
plOyed and paid to attend to sick and injured
LL.li iLi.l u SucA scl In rnl cit izAns