Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1893-01-09
CARING FOR THE SICK
SOME FACTS ABOUT THE AnBU-
LANCE SYSTEM OF NEW YORK.

Metropolis - why tho Ambulance 0.
better Than Carriage.
The ambulance service OF New York
city Is probably the most complete in
the world. Few people reflect as to tho
scope Of ita humane work when tho
noisy gong OF the familiar hospital
wagon warns every one to "clear the
track" II is nuisance to drivers aud
promenaders
II would soom that the ambulance
service, perfect a. it Is. is appreciated
less by tho public than almost any other
beneficial institution which is supported
by the city.
Them cost of single ambulance
In estimated at 500. There are twenty
six of them in daily service now. This
involvcsan expenditure Of se3 ,020 year.
Incidental expenses arc not included in
these figures. which only defray the cost
of the conveyance, tho horses feed and
drivers salary.
Tho number OF ambulance calls re-
eponded TO in ono month was Ar. All
Of these sick people were comfortably
and speedily carried 10 various hospitals
aud doctorcd free Of charge. In tho
same month there were iifty.four "hurry
calls" These were In cases of omor.
gency, such us fire. poisoning, apopleAy,
alcoholism. etc.
The ambulance subject "a usually
person in poor circumstances. Ono
rarely sees well dressed occupant
being carried 20 hospitals by ambulance.
II is strange that lack of confidence
should bc placed In such perfect serv-
ice as tho city supports. Aud yet many
people suddenly stricken III betray u
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 in
the way Of casy and speedy transportn-
ton. accompanied by the best Of medical
treatment, is given To the poor and do.
pendent part OF the population.
The educated and well placed sick.
when Unexpectedly stricken. yield TO the
first impulse TO get home Mt all hazards.
A long ride IN close carriage unattcnd.
ed by any physician sometimes proves
fatal. The ambulance would be far
safer and tho treatment unquostionably
better.
The ambulances which convey pm
tients to Bellevue aro probably the most
comfortable conveyances In the world.
This Is nm important factor In the hos
pital service, as the jolting Of an ordi-
nary close carriage often adds untold
suffering TO the invalid.
The ambulance IN itself Ia study.
Tho padded bed In It is MS soft nv pill
low and fits tightly within the soft cush-
toned sides. Over the bed ia laid the
stretcher, upon which the patient can DO
removed from the ambulance TO tho hos
pital ward without jar. The bed in
the ambulance is arranged upon rollers,
80 that 1t withstands tho shock Of Jolt.
UNCOVER the rough pavements altogether
No matter which way the occupant rolls
or tossbs only cushioned surfaces meet
the body. a physician In attendance
carries handbag containing stimulants,
rcstoratives, antidotes for poisons and
all drugs TINT may DO required in ordi.
nary cases.
The conveyance is always equipped in
the same complete manner. Under the
drivers seat is a large box, the lid Of
which forms tho seat. Under ii are
rolls OF bandagos cut in different widths
for use on different parts of tho body.
Stored away beside these are splints,
lint, oakum and oil, salvos, ETC., for
burns. A hip splint, long enough to OK.
tend from under the arm TO the feet. Ia
always part Of the equipment. This
is provided in anticipation of broken
legs. TherJ is n lantern at the head OF
the patient and another Mt tho feet, In
order that no time may be lost in oh.
'ainiug proper light a strong leather
belt, with iron cuffs attached at the sido,
goes with every ambulance. This IL
used whore u patient is violent or wildly
Intoxicated.
The fire department system Of harness.
ing is employed, and only three minutes
are allowed tho ambulance TO prepare 10
respond TO u call. On the second alarm
the driver drops the suspended harness
upon the horse. The buckliug takes lcfs
than u minute. He hurrics with his coat
and vest, and appears At the hospital on
trance just as an attending physician
comes out Of the door.
Any point within distance of two
miles Is reached in less than fifteen mia.
utes.
The ambulance call IA reduced to the
minimum degree Of simplicity. Every.
body should know how to summon an
ambulance. The alarm IL always sent
through theft department or the police
stations. On each fire alarm box is
notice telling where tho key * kept.
The policeman on the beat usually pos.
sosses separate key. II is also his duty
10 know where the other key is kept.
Hurry calls" usually street cases, arc
thus sent through the fire department to
tho hospitals. Notice given at police
station is nj once tolephoned TO the hos.
pitals. 1t lies within the discretion Of
the police officers to decide whether u
patient is u fit subject for prison cell
or "a hospital.
II an ambulance is summoned and the
disease Ia contagious the sufferer Is
taken to Bellevue hospital and placed IN
tent outside the building. The umbu.
lance is Ut once iumigatod and the pa
tient transferred to the board Of health.
II removal OF y patient by ambulance
will endanger life the physician must at
ouce telephone the hospital, meanwhile
remaining with the patient, Then an.
other physician ia sent In coupe TO NJ
tend the suleror-Npw York World