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He did not think it necessary that a doctor should accompany the ambulance, and with regard
to the treatment to be rendered to a sufferer on the spot the safest way is to take the case in a
recumbent position as quickly as possible to the hospital. He thinks the police show an intelligent
interest in the work.
Although hospitals could not contribute towards the expense of organising an ambulance system
Dr. Perry believed that they would be glad to give facilities in the way of providing stations where
practicable.
(5.) The late Admiral Adeane, formerly chairman of the Ambulance Committee of the Metropolitan
Asylums Board.
Admiral Adeane explained the system of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, for the removal
to the Board's hospitals of persons suffering from infectious disease. The system is very
complete, there being stations in telephonic communication with the central office and cases are
removed with the least possible delay—100 a day. There are about 100 horsed ambulances.
Speed is not considerd of such importance as the avoidance of accidents. In reply to a
suggestion that there would be considerable objection to an infectious and non-infectious system
being organised by the same authority, Admiral Adeane expressed the opinion that there would be no
difficulty in having an entirely separate organisation and that as a matter of fact the Board had a
non-infectious system for removing imbecile children. He thought that if the Board were asked to
provide an ambulance system for accidents they would do it and without difficulty. He had formed
no opinion as to the need for such a system.
(6.) Dr. R. J. Collie, Medical Examiner to the Council.
At the present time there is, considering the size of London, practically no method available in
cases of accident. Dr. Collie mentioned a case of a painter who fell down opposite his house and said
that he sent to one of the London hospitals asking for assistance and received a reply to the effect
they would be very pleased to see the case, if brought to them, but could not send for the man.
Dr. Collie also referred to a case in which a man with a broken leg had been taken away in a
four-wheeled cab, and was ill for six months in consequence.
The present system is wholly inadequate. Few people have any idea of the number of accidents
which occur in the streets of London in the course of a year. With the growth of the metropolis the
number of accidents is rapidly increasing, in 1891 and 1892 they were 4,756 and 4,806 respectively.
In 1900 and 1901 they were 8,010 and 7,995 respectively. For removing accident cases there ought to
be a specially organised arrangement worked by men accustomed to the work.
Dr. Collie stated that he would be very sorry, should he meet with an accident in the street, to
be moved on a police ambulance. Often much time is lost before the ambulance is at the scene of the
accident. An ambulance used for inebriates is not suitable for accident cases.
It is left to the police to afford the first-aid, and one of the most important parts of the work
is the arrangement made for lifting a patient. First-aid knowledge is very useful but the police are not
sufficiently trained therein, one short course of instruction consisting of but five lectures being in the
case of some of the men considered sufficient.
Dr. Collie thought that improvement would be found in providing an organisation which
though distinct, should be worked in conjunction with the fire brigade. Wherever there is a
fire-station there should be an ambulance station or one for every two or three. Horsed or motor
ambulances urgently called for. Time is of course important.
The Asylums Board have a very efficient system for removing cases of infection.
Note.—Br. Collie has been good enough to examine and furnish descriptions of, the horsed
ambulance services of Manchester and Liverpool. These descriptions are printed below as an appendix to
the notes of evidence (see pp. 31-32).
(7.) Police Superintendents.
(a) Superintendent Cole, E Division-—In the majority of serious cases patients are taken to the
hospital in cabs, but in cases where the injury is slight the persons walk. There is generally a cab on
the spot, but if the case is a very serious one the police send to the police station for the ambulance.
There are two litters at Bow-street, one at Gray's-inn-road and one at Hunter-street. Most
people prefer to be conveyed in cabs rather than in an ambulance.
Constables are supplied with a list of all hospitals in their own and adjoining districts, and also
a list of all the places at which ambulances are to be found.
In the E division during the six months ended February, 1902, the police ambulance was used
110 times, the Bischoffsheim ambulances 56 times, and cabs 120 times. Most of the police are
instructed in first aid.
The police always send for medical aid or take the case to the hospital. Ambulances would be
sent for by a second constable, the message being conveyed by hand. If a second constable was not
available, a private person would take the message. The point is that an injured person must be
moved. A policeman would ask private individuals to assist him in moving the injured person out of
the street or roadway.
The police have conveyed cases of injured assistants in factories, but this would not occur very
often as firms have their own arrangements.
In the outlying districts there are not the same conveniences as in the central divisions. There
are 10 hospitals in the E division and six ambulance stations. Cabs are used because they are
quicker. Cases of broken legs would not be put in a cab. In the inner districts the majority of
accidents are dealt with by the police.