spring is a galvanised iron crutch to receive the stretcher-pole, with a hinged flap and turn-stud to secure it when in motion. When the wheeled stretcher is required to be stationary, the hinged flap just mentioned is folded back, and it then forms a stop for the wheels by including one of the spokes in a notch on its end. At the bottom of each spring is a clip, with a stud, split key and chain, to secure it to the axletree. The legs are attached to the rear of the springs by a double joint, and are curved so as to fold over the springs when packed. They assist in keeping the stretcher in a horizontal position when the support is stationary. When not required for use, they are lifted

FIG. 69.

2-8

265

Front view of Wheeled Stretcher Support, with measurements.

up, and each secured to the corresponding side-pole by a shackle and hook. The height of a stretcher when placed on the support is 2 feet 7 inches,

The weight of the wheeled support without the stretcher is 74 lbs. 13 oz.; with the stretcher of former pattern upon it, 100 lbs. 5 oz.; with the roller stretcher, 106 lbs. 13 oz. The whole is made to take to pieces and to pack up in a small space for stowage. A canvas cover or case is provided for it. As bearers must be trained in order to carry patients on hand stretchers properly, so they have to be instructed in quickly unpacking and putting together the stretcher support, and in using it in connection with the

stretcher when a wounded man is to be conveyed by it, or to be transferred from it to an ambulance waggon.

(C.) Mule Litters and Cacolets.

General remarks on mule litters and cacolets.-These are conveyances borne by mules, and only designed for use in mountainous countries, where the roads are not practicable for wheeled conveyances, and where the distances are too great for transport by hand stretchers. They do not form part of the ambulance transport equipment of the British service under ordinary circumstances of campaigning. The litters are for patients requiring a recumbent position; the cacolets for patients who are able to be carried in a sitting posture. They are employed in pairs, and their construction adapts them for being hooked on to the packsaddles of general service pattern, one on each side.

Mule cacolets and litters were first introduced as articles of ambulance equipment in the French army in Algeria. Had it not been for these contrivances, the French wounded in many of the expeditions in the mountainous parts of that country could not have been transported from the scene of action to a hospital; and no less an authority than Marshal Bugeaud was led to say, that Algeria could hardly have been conquered without them, such would have been the dispiriting influence on the troops if they could not have felt secure that they would be saved from the Arabs in case of being wounded. Finding these means of conveyance of such practical value in Algeria, the French subsequently adopted them as the principal forms of their ambulance transport for general service. When not required to carry sick or wounded patients, both cacolets and litters admit of being folded up flat against the sides of the mules; and other packages, such as boxes of biscuits, can be slung and carried over them. In this way stores can be carried to the front, and sick men brought away to the rear, on the same mules. Mule litters and cacolets were introduced among the articles of English ambulance equipment during the Crimean war. They were found to be very useful in the Crimea for carrying the wounded along the narrow ravines leading up from Sebastopol, and also for conveying them from the camps to the ports of embarkation, before roads suitable for wheeled vehicles existed.

Only strong and large-framed mules are suitable for the carriage of wounded men on litters and cacolets. The animals also require training, as well as their conductors. The men of the Medical Staff Corps go through a course of drills and exercises with cacolets and mule litters at the Training Depôt at Aldershot. They are taught to saddle and unsaddle the animals with expedition; to prepare, hook, and unhook the cacolets; to load and unload

them systematically with patients; and to lead the animals when carrying patients over various descriptions of ground. A similar training is undergone with the mule litters. Much practice is necessary to fit men for performing these duties when weak and disabled men are to be conveyed, so that they may be conveyed with the necessary care, consideration, and adroitness. The motion

communicated to the litters when the mules are walking is peculiar. It is quite different from the jolts or concussions that a patient is liable to meet with in a wheeled vehicle; it is a sort of pitching motion, and, with some persons, creates a feeling akin to sea-sickness. Two well-trained mules carrying wounded can be coupled by means of a chain, one in front of the other, and in

case of need conducted by a single soldier holding the bridle of the first mule.

The mule cacolets of the British service. These cacolets are made of wrought-iron and are simply folding-chairs, arranged for being hooked to the two sides of a pack-saddle. Each cacolet can be placed either on the right or left side of the pack-saddle, and each forms a seat for one patient. A footboard is attached to each cacolet. A broad strap crossing the patient in front assists in keeping him steady in his seat. The weight of a pair

of cacolets is 56 lbs.; the weight of the present general service pattern pack-saddle, known as size No. 1, is 46 lbs. The drawing (fig. 70) will furnish a better idea of this mode of conveyance than a more lengthened description.

Mule litters of the British service. These conveyances are also made of wrought-iron. The framework of the litter is jointed into three principal divisions, so that the whole may be folded up in a compact form when not in use. Each litter when extended is about 6 feet in length. The bed of the litter is

made of strong canvas secured to the frame by cords. There is a canvas hood which can be raised at pleasure for purposes of shelter against rain or solar heat, while a canvas apron attached to the foot of the frame can be drawn upwards so as completely to cover a patient. The hood and cover are omitted in the drawing (fig. 71), in order to convey a better idea of the position of a patient lying on one of these conveyances. The weight of a pair of litters of the latest pattern, complete, is 106 lbs.28

(D.) Sick-Transport Waggons.

General remarks on sick-transport waggons.-Ambulance sick-transport waggons are four-wheeled vehicles specially constructed for the transport of sick and wounded soldiers. Their construction does not adapt them for the carriage of heavy stores. In some armies vehicles have been constructed to serve the double purpose of carrying either stores or patients; and if the same conveyances could be made equally suitable for bearing great weights, and for the safe and easy carriage of wounded men, in regard to the adjustment of springs, the required internal fittings, and the necessary means of protection for patients, it would manifestly be a desirable arrangement on the score of economy. But all attempts to secure the two results in a sufficiently satisfactory way have hitherto failed. Moreover, experience has too often shown that when sick-transport conveyances have been permitted to be used for other purposes in military service than those for which they have been specially designed, practically they have seldom been forthcoming when they have been required for the sick and wounded. As a matter of course, on occasions of need, when regular ambulance waggons are not available, or not available in sufficient numbers, any vehicles that can be obtained, however unsuited for sick persons they may be, must be substituted for them rather than delay the removal of wounded men to a hospital; and it should be remembered that there are many plans by which the worst inconveniences attendant on the use of springless carts and rough waggons for men. suffering from wounds may be materially lessened.29 Some adaptations of country carts and general service waggons to fit them temporarily for the transport of sick and wounded men are systematically practised by men of the Army Medical Staff Corps at the Training School at Aldershot.

The relative advantages of two-wheeled and four-wheeled vehicles for ambulance purposes have been much discussed by military surgeons. On the whole, the greater stability of the waggon as compared with that of the cart, its security notwithstanding an accident happening to one of the horses, and its freedom from the movement which results from the connection