Post by Billy H Post by BrimstonePost by Billy HIsn't the meaning of the Latin root of 'ambulance' somewhere close to
'movement' or 'to move' so an ambulance is something that 'moves'
someone, regardless of the mode, by foot, by ship by horse and cart
etc..
Here's some info.
http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/102/?letter=A&spage=6
ahhh, so it is to walk then,
Well, it is one meaning. But how many means of moving around are there?
Ambulo is a form of the verb ambio, which is formed from the preposition
amb (around, round about) and the intransitive verb ire (go, walk). So
it means simply to move around, or to and fro.
Post by Billy HI was stretching my memory back to the *sparse*
Latin I did study all those years ago.
It's served you well. You're original thoughts were correct - it's the
mobility of the service which is significant. I suppose we've come full
circle now - with our ambulances carrying paramedics who have equipment
and expertise to deal with patients on site, rather than simply picking
them up and rushing them off to a hospital. We also have fast-response
paramedics in cars or on motor bikes who don't actually take anyone
anywhere, but their vehicles are still labelled as Ambulances.
--
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