The Ambulance

This book reviews 800 years of ambulance development, looking not only at the vehicles themselves, but also telling the stories of the men and women who served on them and who created the medical systems in which they operated. The purpose of the book is two-fold. First, it attempts to explain, not merely describe, ambulance evolution by critically examining its political, economic, and social influences. Second, it aims to introduce topics omitted from previous works, including the critical role played by police ambulances in the development of the first emergency medical services, a concise history of the ambulance intern, notable women in ambulance development, and a fresh look at the first organized paramedic services.