The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-10-27
CARING FOR THE SICT
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE AMeu
LANCE SYSTEM OF NEW YORK.

The ambulance service Of New Yorl,
city is probably the most complete ii
the world. Few people reflect as to TIN
scope of its humane work when til,
noisy gong Of the familiar hospita
wagon warns every one to "clear tn
track" 1t is nuisance TO drivers AMI
promenaders.
1t would seem that the ambulance
service, perfect as 1t is, is appreciates
less by the public than almost any Other
beneficial institution which is supported
by the city.
The annual cost of IA single ambulance
is estimated at $500. There are twenty
six of them in daily service now. Thi
involvesan expenditure of SEQ, $40 year.
Incidental expenses are not included il
these figures, which only defray the cost
of the conveyance, the horses feed and
drivers salary.
The number OF ambulance calls re
sponded to in one month was 472. Al
of these sick people were comfortabl,
and speedily carried to various hospital
and doctored free of charge. In the
same month there were fifty-four "hurr,
calls" These were in cases of emer
gency, such as fire, poisoning, apoplexy
alcoholism, etc.
The ambulance subject is usually {
person in poor circumstances. One
rarely sees q well dressed occupant
being carried to hospitals by ambulance.
1t is strange that a lack of confidence
should be placed in such perfect serv.
ice as the city supports. And yet many
people suddenly stricken i'll betray Z
dread and distrust Of the ambulance.
There is no doubt that lives are lost by
this foolish apprehension. All that sci
ence and advanced invention can do IL
the way of easy and speedy transporta.
ton, accompanied by the best of medical
treatment, is given to the poor and de
pendent part of the population.
The educated and well placed sick
when unexpectedly stricken, yield to the
first impulse to get home at all hazards
i A long ride in close carriage unattend
ed by any physician sometimes proves
fatal. The ambulance would be fal
safer and the treatment unquestionablN
better.
The ambulances which convey pa
tients to Bellevue are probably the mos
comfortable conveyances in the world
This is an important factor in the hos
pital service, as the jolting of an ordi
nary close carriage often adds untolt
suffering to the invalid.
The ambulance in itself is study
The padded bed in it is as soft as pill
low and fits tightly within the soft cush
toned sides. Over the bed is laid tn
stretcher, upon which the patient can b
removed from the ambulance to the hos
pital ward without jar. The bed il
the ambulance is arranged upon rollers
} so that it withstands the shock of Jolt
= ing over the rough payements altogether
No matter which way the occupant roll
! Or losses only cushioned surfaces NEE
/ the body. A physician in attendanc
carries a handbag containing stimulants
restoratives, antidotes for poisons an
all drugs that may be required in ord
7 nary cases.
The conveyance is always equipped /
the same complete manner. Under til
|, drivers seat is large box, the lid {
I which forms the seat. Under it al
: rolls of bandages cut in different Width
a for use on different parts Of the bod,
Stored away beside these are splint
lint oakuLh and oil, salyes, ETC., fl
burns. A hip splint, long enough to e:
tend from under the arm to the feet,
always part of the equipment. TIL
: is provided in anticipation Of broke
legs. There is lantern at the head
the patient and another at the feet,
order that no time may be lost in o
Z tanning proper light A strong leathi
belt, with iron cuffs attached at the sid
goes with every ambulance. This
used where patient is violent or wild
intoxicated.
The fire department system of harnes
ing is employed, and only three minut
are allowed the ambulance to prepare
respond to call. On the second alar
the driver drops the suspended harne
upon the horse. The buckling takes Ii
In than minute. He hurries with his &C
and vest, and appears at the hospital c
trance just as an attending physici
comes out of the door.
Any point within distance of t.
miles is reached in less than fifteen m
utes.
l. The ambulance call is reduced to I
"a minimum degree of simplicity. Eve
body should know how to summon
ambulance. The alarm is always 81
" through the fire department OF the pol
10 stations. On each fire alarm box il
~ notice telling where the key is Ike
TIE policeman on the beat usually p
N sesses a separate key. 1t is also his DIT
80 to know where the other key is Ike
a' Hurry calls" usually street cases,
thus sent through the fire department
se the hospitals. Notice given at pol
~ station is at once telephoned to the h
Il u pitfalls. 1t lies within the discretion
Il the police officers to decide whethe
es patient is q fit subject for prison c
~ Dr. hospital.
eao If an ambulance is summoned and
disease is contagious the sufferer
n taken to Bellevue hospital and placed
a tent outside the building. The ami
II, lance is at once fumigated and the
lly tent transferred to the board of heal
Ii removal of IA patient by ambulal
"a will endanger life the physician must
'o' once telephone the hospital, meanwl
remaining with the patient. Then
40 uther physician is sent in a coupe to
tend the suflerer.-New York World
ac Time Files.
She Observation-Disclosures think, darli
you proposed but twenty-four hours a
He (thrillihglyl-Yes, and it seem.
though it We're but yesterday.-Lon,
It'll Bits.
,las4.g1n, the leader OF mura"
gang nf burglars that SOME time ago