ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 21

ST. JOHN AMBULANCE

BRIGADE ACTIVITIES During her residence in Now Zeal land Her Excellency Lady Blcdisloe held the position of patroness of nursing divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade within the dominion, and prior to ■ her departure the chief commissioner conveyed an expression of appreciation of the interest which she had at all times taken in the welfare of these units, and of the stimulating effect which it had had upon the members. Colonel Barclay has been advised by Sir Cecil Day as follows Her Excellency thanks the nursing divisions of the St. John Ambulance Brigade overseas most warmly for their kind message of friendly goodwill conveyed in your letter. She much appreciated it, as she does also your personal good wishes.” At the brigade annual meeting Dr R. H. Fulton, assistant commissioner, occupied the chair. District officers Colonel Morey and Miss Harborow, Corps Superintendent J. B. White, and a good representation of divisional officers and members were present. The annual report was read, recording another excellent year’s work. The financial position is not as good as it should bo. auu an who are interested in the ivo-t of brigade are invited to assist in this direction. THE RISE OF SCIENTIFIC FIRST AID. Mr N. Corbett Fletcher, 0. St. J., M.A., M. 8., B. Chir. (Cantab), M.R.C.S., writes: — It is common knowledge that the St. John Ambulance Association, which was established in 1877, won for the Order of St. John its Royal charter in 1888. It is, however, not generally realised that the association also converted first aid from a heterogeneous collection of facts and instructions into a special science. First aid covers three problems—treatment, transport, and after care. It is the direct outcome of wars, and in the years before the first Geneva Convention of 1864 its development and the gradual, though incomplete. solution of its problems can be traced in the various wars and periods The two factors, which are said to have contributed largely to the success of the Genova Convention, were conscription, which was introduced by Napoleon, in 1798, and long-distance fighting, which took origin at tl?e Battle of Crecy hi 1346. The former caused an alteration in the personnel of the armies which, in place of professional soldiers, came I i eo-'sist d l-r«, frauds, brothers, uncles, and cousins, of the various nations; aim tic ni-.n' c... ried with it unseen and fatal dangers to greater numbers than in the old-time hand-to-hand combats.

'hie Geneva Convention divides first aid into two great sections—the nn scientific and tlie scientific. It was an international agreement regarding tin treatment of the sick and wounded, and the amelioration of the evils ol warfare, while it provided immunity (rom attack for all engaged in tending the sick and suffering. That the general public at this period was taking active interest in first aid is evidenced by the fact that popular handbooks were pnhlshed. two such in my possession bearing the titles

‘ Popular Surgery ’ (Dr Mayor, _of Lausanne, translated into English, 1836), and ‘Household Surgery’ (Dr John F. South, of St. Thomas’s Hospital, 1830). (To he continued.)