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73
The foregoing abstract of the report of the Ambulance
Committee may suffice to show that the duty of removal of
the sick to hospital, whether by land or water, is now effected
in a satisfactory manner. The use of public vehicles for the
removal of persons afflicted with infectious disease is unlawful.
Occasionally we hear of the use of a cab, wittingly or
unwittingly, and in such cases the vehicle is usually lost sight
of before discovery of the nature of the illness, and so does not
get disinfected. This is no doubt a serious danger to the
public, but it is of rare occurrence compared with the time
before the passing of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891,
the 70th section of which forbids the employment of public
vehicles for the purpose in question. No case of wilful breach
of the law came to my knowledge during the year.
Ambulance Arrangements.—Kensington patients are
removed by the staff at the western Station, which adjoins
the Western Hospital at Seagiave Road, Fulham.
Between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., on weekdays, cases for removal
are reported at the Managers' central offices, Norfolk-house,
Norfolk-street, Strand, W.C., these being in telephonic
communication with the station. During the night, and on
Sunday, and on Christmas Day and Good Friday, application
for a patient's removal is forwarded direct to the ambulance
station. The Managers' telegraphic address is "Asylums
Board, London;" their telephone numbers are 2858 and 2859
"Gerrard."