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Each van accommodates two stretchers, which are placed above each other. There are two
seats, a small one for the attendant, and a larger one where two patients may sit in an emergency.
There is a small shelf for splints, tourniquet, etc., and a drawer in which are kept hot water bottles
and other appliances.
The whole is systematically washed with Izal fluid.
(b) Liverpool.
(Population—Census 1901, 684,947).—At Liverpool the horse ambulance system is under the
direct control of the police. Horse ambulances are stationed at four of the principal hospitals,
and one at an outlying suburb at a police station. In all cases the police provide the ambulance
waggons, tbe horses and harness, and a driver, who is a police constable. The hospitals provide the
necessary coach-house and stabling, and a surgeon from the hospital, who invariably accompanies the
ambulance when summoned.
In the case of the ambulance stationed at the outlying suburb, there being no hospital, the
ambulance waggon is kept at the chief police station of the district. No surgeon in this case accompanies
it, but a constable qualified to render first aid accompanies the waggon.
The ambulance station at the outlying suburb is available at any time day or night.
The four waggons stationed at the different hospitals in the city are only available during
the day. One of these is each evening removed to the central fire station and is therefore, with the
exception of the outlying one, the only one available for night duty, and no surgeon accompanies it
at night or on Sundays.
All cases are taken to the hospital of the district in which they are found. The ambulances
are not used to convey medical cases to or from the hospitals except in exceptional cases where the
house surgeon is of opinion that the patient can only be moved safely in an ambulance, that he lives
near, and is not in a position to pay for a private ambulance.
If from any accident an ambulance waggon at any of the hospitals is disabled, it is replaced by
one from headquarters. Frequent examinations of the ambulances are made by the superintendent.
The fire brigade as well as the horse ambulance service in Liverpool is worked by the police,
and the horses are used indiscriminately for either.
Method of calling the ambulance.
There are four methods by which the police or public may summon an ambulance waggon.
1st.—By direct application either to the hospitals, to the police, or to the fire-stations.
2nd.—By the public (National) telephone. A number of private telephone subscribers with
the consent of the Postmaster-General have given permission for police officers to use their telephonesin
emergencies.
3rd.—There is a complete private police telephone system, which has instruments at all the
police and fire stations and hospitals, all of which are in direct communication night and day
with the central police office.
4th.—An elaborate system of signal-boxes. There are in all 264 signal-boxes distributed at
regular intervals in the busiest parts of the town. These boxes are about two feet by one foot
by six inches, are of iron, and painted red. They are affixed in prominent positions to walls,
railings, etc. They are arranged in circuits of about ten boxes each. The circuits within a mile of
the central police station communicate directly with the central office, but the outlying circuits are
grouped and communicate with four sub-stations which receive and re-transmit the message direct to
the central office. The signal-box is opened only by a key with which each constable is provided.
A limited number of keys is also supplied to the public.
When the door of the signal box is opened six levers and a small telephone instrument are to
be seen.
The first is for an ordinary fire.
The second for a serious fire.
The third for a patrol waggon (used for carrying a resisting prisoner).
The fourth for a patrol waggon (used for bringing extra police in the case of a disturbance).
The fifth is for the horse ambulance.
The sixth signals that the telephone is about to be used.
When a lever is pulled it automatically prints at the office (by a system similar to the Wheatstone
telegraph) symbols giving the time, the number of the box and the signal. These messages may
be supplemented by using the telephone, thereby giving more precise directions where for instance the
ambulance waggon is to be sent.
When the signal for the ambulance is received at the central police station, the locality in which
the accident has occurred is noted, and the nearest hospital to the scene of the accident is directly
communicated with, and the ambulance at once dispatched. This is done through the police (not the
National) telephone.
The public may of course use the National telephone and communicate directly with the hospital,
and in the case of an accident order the ambulance straight from the hospital.
The supply to the public of keys for the signal boxes is limited by charging an annual fee of two
shillings and sixpence for the key and requiring a deposit of one guinea from each holder of a key.
The improper use of the keys by the public is prevented by an ingenious arrangement whereby
the key, when once used to open the door, cannot be withdrawn without use of the master key (which
is only in possession of the constables). Each key is numbered, malicious use is thus at once detected.
(c) Dublin.
(Population—Census 1901, 290,638).—In Dublin there is an active ambulance service worked
as part of the Fire Brigade, the men being instructed in first-aid by the medical officer. 868 cases
were dealt with last year, including all kinds of injuries and sudden illnesses occurring in the streets.