ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

Hutt News, Volume 2, Issue 50, 22 May 1930, Page 9

ST JOHN AMBULANCE BRIGADE.

It. has become a*ntost atrite obiservation, to say that the present agio is one of hurry and increasing speed, espeeialiy witth. regard to-motor transport, an^l it is-iregrett&ble to have to record that" the latter brings in its train many penalties* in the shape of the increasing number of accidents. For the truth of the latter assertion, one has but to pick up aiiy issue of t/he daily newspaper. 'While prevention is better than cure, it looks as though the day is still far off when something will be done to redwce the appalling list of accidiontsf and, in the meantime, the next best tiling to be done is to learn tifie rudiments of fiTst aid, so as to know both3rhat_ to do and what not to do wihen-an aecid©n.fc occurs. - Simple knowledge on these points, may mean, and has actually meant/the saving^ of life. We Ventura to reprint from: the St, John Antbtiancei Gazette of London, a very illustrativo incident. W<e tell the story in the Am-bulance-Officer's own words:— , .

"Some time ago I was standing'-out« side a hospital talking to one Qf thd doctors w<hen-a man employed on the docks rans up and informed us that a man had broken his leg.; "T>be man 2iad sustained a broken left, tibia (simple), ibut we were! inforimed that he was being brought along to the hospital by -two of: the .dock labourers in : 'a wbeeibarrow, and that .he -was ' ' quite all •right." Apparently the unfortunate patient had- been wheeled over every pile of bTicks in the nerghb'ourfiood^fQr; when ihe eventuially arriv-ed,_ he, 3iad a composund protruding fractured , tibia. The doctor was appalled at the results of the rough^ transport and, turning to one of the : labourers^ said angrily;' Look at this./ Both men looked amus.ed, and •one, turning to. the other, said 's idfunny. That wasn^t like that when

twe put him into the barrow. "

The account has a certain amount of grim humour,- except perhaps for the unfortunate victim of theu accident, but .the moral-is self evident, and it is safe to say that any- one cv.en an elementary Gaining in first aid would hiave lctfoiwii suffiicient toh,ave avoided thie

two serious mistakes made: (1) handle ing the patient fwiifoout. firat binding temporary splints on the broken limb, and (2) adopting snjieJi a senseless means of transport. -

Some time ago ,we referred to the probability of a Nursing Division of Bb._ John being estajblished among the ladies, of the Lorwer Hutt, and we are pleased to say that this has now eventuated. The President qtf the Division is Lady Eoberts -wiiio takes a keen interest in the matter and tke Acting Superintendent is Mrs. Dement who was attached tlo St. Jo-hn Ambulance in England before coming to ISTew Zealand. Tiiese ladiefl are prepared to !heJp others by instruction) not only in first aid, but also in home nursing, classes for whicih. are under we-igh at the present time. Ai;

the conclusion of the course! of instruction an examination will be held and it is -hoped that all those wilio qualify will continue, bhe good work by joining the Nursing Division, by which means tihey wall not only .be able to keep up -their, practice, but also to make the -best use of the knowledge acquired. ■•;_■■■

Another practical activity* of th& St. Jfoihn Anibu'laneer at Law-ear Hutt is what is known as the Medical Comforts DepaTitment wliich is. managed by Mrs Dement and wftrch has already proved useful in many cases. Mrs Dement &a» a stock of various articles, not always found in hoiaes, which may contrifeute to the comfort of the patient or the sicK room and these may bft,borro,w*d on the request of the patient 'a medical attendant. The small ciiaTge for hireis used for replacements or the purchase of additional articles.

The Hutt Valley is now a populous residential area, and we -feel that it is c .distinct forward movement to hiav^ ladies -who are willing to give tiieir time and service fof the benefit of thioae needing advice, and help. - We wish (both the Nursing Division' and the Medical Comforts Department every success in their endeavours.. ;'■ •.