r 
u 2HS THE 
MANUAL OF DRILL 
FOR THE’ USE OF THE 
HOSPITAL CORPS, 
U. S. ARMY. 
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. 
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 
1891. 
WASHINGTON: War Department, 
Surgeon General’s Office, 
Washington, D. C., May 4,1891. 
The following Manual of Drill is adopted and pub- 
lished for the guidance of the Medical Officers and the 
instruction of the Hospital Corps of the Army of the 
United States. 
CHARLES SUTHERLAND, 
Surgeon General. 
Approved: 
L. A. Grant, 
Acting Secretary of War. MANUAL OF DRILL 
FOR THE 
HOSPITAL CORPS, U. S. ARMY. 
THE DETACHMENT. 
1. The detachment is formed in single rank, privates 
of the Hospital Corps on the right, company bearers on 
the left, each class graduated in size, the tallest men on 
the right. 
2. The senior hospital steward is on the right of the 
line; the junior and acting hospital stewards are in the 
line of file-closers in order of seniority from right to left. 
The file-closers are posted two yards in rear of the line, 
and are equally distributed along it. If the detachment 
is large the second steward may he placed on the left of 
the line as guide. 
TO FORM THE DETACHMENT. 
3. The steward, facing the detachment and six yards 
in front of its center, commands: 
at which the men form in single rank, facing to the right, 
4. The steward having sized the men, and having seen 
that the file-closers are in their proper positions, com- 
mands : 
Fall in; 
Left, Face ; 
and calls the roll. 
5 6 
He then commands; 
Count, Fours ; 
and, facing to the front, salutes the officer in charge, who 
is in position at a suitalrle distance in front of the center 
of the line, reports the result of the roll-call, and then 
takes his place on the right of the detachment. 
5. The steward having sainted, the junior officers take 
posts, assistant surgeons in the line of file-closers, and 
surgeons four paces in rear; they distribute themselves 
equally along the line, in order of seniority from right to 
left. 
The officer then commands : 
Bight, Dress ; Front. 
6. The detachment having been thus formed may be 
moved in line or in column of files, of twos or of fours, as 
follows: 
TO MOVE THE DETACHMENT. 
To march forward, by the commands: (1) Forward, 
(2) Guide right.{ov left), (3) March. 
To march backward from a halt; (1) Backward, (2) 
Guide right (ox left), (3) March. 
To side step at a halt; (1) Side step to the right (or left), 
(2) March, (3) Detachment, (4) Halt. 
To pass from, quick to double time; (1) Double time, 
(2) March; to resume the quick time: (1) Quick time, 
(2) March. 
To change direction during a forward march: (1) Eight 
(or left) wheel, (2) March, and when the desired front 
has been obtained, (3) Forward, (4) March, or if the in- 
tended change of direction be slight the command is: 
Incline to the right (or left). 
In Line. 7 
The detachment being in line at a halt, the column is 
formed and then moved by the commands: (1) Bight (or 
left), (2) Face, (3) Forward, (4) March. 
If in march, the commands are: (1) By the right (or left) 
flank, (2) March. 
To change direction in march: (1) Column right (or left, 
or half right or left), (2) March. 
To form line when marching; (1) By the left (or right) 
flank, (2) March, (3) Guide right (or left). 
To halt and form line: (1) Detachment, (2) Halt, (3) 
Left (or right), (4) Face. 
Or line may be formed from the column of files by the 
commands: (1) Left (or right) front into line, (2) March, 
(3) Detachment, (4) Halt, (5) Left (or right), (6) Dress, 
(7) Front. 
In Column of Files. 
In Column of Twos or Fours. 
The column is formed and moved by the commands: 
(1) Twos {ox fours) right (or left), (2) March. 
This column changes direction by the commands given 
above for the column of files. 
To change into line: (1) Twos (ox fours) left (or right), 
(2) March, (3) Detachment, (4) Halt, (5) Bight (or left), 
(6) Dress, (7) Front ; or line may be formed as from the 
column of files by the commands: (1) Left (or right) front 
into line, (2) March, etc. 
Or, the column of fours at single rank distance as 
formed above may be closed to double rank distance; (1) 
Double rank distance, (2) Double time, (3) March; and the 
column thus formed having been marched as required may 
be spaced to single rank distance by the commands: (1) 
Form single rank, (2) March, after •which, it is brought 
into line by: (1) Fours left (or right), (2) March, (3) 
Detachment, (4) Halt, (5) Bight (or left), (6) Dress, (7) 
Front. 8 
To form column of twos from column of files the com- 
mands are; (1) Form twos, (2) Left (or right) oblique, (3) 
March ; and the column of twos is reformed into column 
of files by: (1) Bight (or left) by fie, (2) March. 
7. To rest the detachment in any of its formations; 
1. Detachment, 2. Rest. 
8. To resume attention : 
1. Detachment, 2. ATTENTION. 
9. To dismiss the detachment: The officer directs the 
steward: Dismiss the detachment, when the junior officers 
fall out and the steward commands : 
1. Break ranks, 2. March. 
Inspection. 
10. The detachment being in line at a halt, the steward 
draws sword, salutes the surgeon in command, reports 
and takes his place on the right. 
The surgeon then draws sword, and upon the approach 
of the inspector, the surgeon commands: 
and salutes the inspector, who acknowledges the salute 
and directs: Prepare your detachment for inspection. The 
surgeon then commands; 
Detachment, Attention ; 
11. At the first command, the steward steps briskly 
three paces to the rear to mark the new alignment of the 
file-closers, and the surgeon places himself three paces in 
front of the right file facing to the left. At March, the 
junior officers step forward, each by the nearest flank, and 
place themselves opposite their places in line, three paces 
Bear open order, March; Front. 9 
in front of the detachment; the men in rank dress to 
to the right; the file-closers step backward and align them- 
selves on the steward. The surgeon superintends the 
alignment of the junior officers and the rank, and the 
steward that of the file-closers ; the surgeon then verifies 
the alignment of the file-closers; the junior officers and 
file-closers cast their eyes to the front as soon as their 
alignment is verified. At Front, the steward resumes his 
place in rank and the men cast their eyes to the front. 
12. From his position on the right of the line of officers 
and facing to the left, the surgeon commands: 
Draw, Knife. 
At draw each man provided with a knife grasps, and 
slightly raises the sheath with the left hand and seizes 
the grip with the right, thumb to the rear and against 
the guard; at Knife he draws the hand quickly and raises 
the arm to its full extent at an angle of about forty-five de- 
grees, the knife in a straight line with the arm, then drops 
the arm naturally extended by the side, back of blade to 
the front, point down. Simultaneously, the junior and 
acting stewards draw sword and bring it to a carry. 
13. He then commands: 
and faces to the front. As soon as inspected he returns 
sword, and accompanies the inspector. When the latter 
begins to inspect the line, the junior officers face about 
and stand in place rest. 
Commencing on the right, the inspector now proceeds 
to minutely inspect the sword or knife, accoutrements, 
and dress of each soldier in succession. Each man, as 
the inspector approaches him, brings his sword or knife 
vertically to the front, raising the hand as high as the 
neck and six inches in front of it, edge to the left, the 
thumb on the back of the grip; after a slight pause he 
Inspection, Arms; 10 
turns the wrist outward to show the other side of the 
blade, then turns the wrist back, and as the inspector 
passes on resumes the original position; after the inspector 
lias passed he returns sword or knife without command. 
14. To return knife, each man grasps the sheath with 
the left hand, quickly raises up the right hand as high as 
the neck and six inches in front of it [as for inspection], 
then drops the point of the knife and sheathes the blade. 
15. This inspection completed, the surgeon again takes 
his post on the right and commands : 
and facing to the front, returns sword, and accompanies 
the inspector as before. At Cases the men make a half-face 
to the right; those bearing dressing or medicine cases shift 
them to the front, the others take their dressing packets in 
the right hand, and all face again to the front; as the in- 
spector passes, the cases are opened so as to expose their 
contents, and the packets are shown. 
After the inspector has passed, each man makes a half- 
face to the right, closes and replaces the case or returns 
the packet, and faces to the front. 
Inspection, Cases; 
16. If the members of the Hospital Corps are equipped 
with blanket-bags, the acting stewards so equipped then 
place themselves on the left of the rank; the surgeon, 
from his post as before, commands: 
1. Unsling, 2. Blanket-bags; 3. Open, 4. Blanket-bags. 
At the first command, each man makes a half-face to the 
right and unfastens the hook of the right strap by seizing 
the D ring with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand 
passed under the blanket-bag ; he then unhooks the strap 
with the right hand and unslings the blanket-bag by pass- 
ing the right forearm over the head ; at the same time he 
faces to the front and, standing erect, holds it by the 
strap in front of the knees. At the second command, he 
places the blanket-bag on the ground against his toes, the straps underneath, the great-coat outward, and then 
stands at attention. At the fourth command, he opens 
the blanket-bag, turning the flap from him, the flap jest- 
ing on the great-coat; lie then stands at attention. 
The blanket-bag having been inspected, the surgeon 
commands: 
11 
1. Repack, 2. Blanket-bags. 
At the second command, each man repacks and fastens 
up his blanket-bag, leaving it in the same position as before 
opening it, and then stands at attention. 
1. Sling, 2. Blanket-bags. 
At the command Sling, each man grasps the unhooked 
(right) strap with the right hand, the hooked (left) strap 
with the left hand, the hack of the left hand to the right, 
raises the blanket-bag, and, standing erect, makes a half- 
face to the right. At the second command, he swings the 
blanket-bag over his shoulders, passing the left arm 
through the hooked strap, and carrying the right-hand 
strap over the head. He then brings this strap down 
over the right shoulder, makes a half-face to the left, and 
hooks the strap with the right hand, holding the D ring 
with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, passed 
under the blanket-bag. 
The acting stewards resume their places in line and 
each man stands at attention. 
17. The inspection being completed, the surgeon com- 
mands : 
Close order, March. 
At March the file-closers close to tAvo paces and the 
junior officers resume their places in line. 
18. If there is no junior officer and the detachment is 
small, the ranks need not be opened, the junior or acting 
steward, if present, being placed on the right or left of 
the rank. 12 
19. In case any of the members of the detachment are 
mounted men, their horses and horse equipments will be 
examined after the inspection of the men dismounted. 
Muster. 
20. All stated musters of the detachment are, when 
practicable, preceded by a minute and careful inspection. 
The detachment being in line with ranks open, the 
non-commissioned staff officers (if any) place themselves 
in the line of file-closers, on the left of the stewards, with 
sword at a carry. The surgeon, upon intimation of the 
mustering officer, commands: 
Draw, Knife; Attention to muster. 
He then returns sword and hands a roll of the Hospital 
Corps detachment and non-commissioned staff to the 
mustering officer. The latter calls over the names on the 
roll; each man, as his name is called, answers “Here” 
and returns sword or knife. Men without sword or knife 
are placed on the left, and, after answering, step forward 
one pace. The muster completed, the ranks are closed 
and the detachment is dismissed. 
21. After muster the presence of the men reported in 
the hospital or on other duty is verified by the mustering 
officer, who is accompanied by the surgeon. 
22. For the purposes of litter drill each set of four is 
a litter squad. The squads are numbered numerically 
from right to left: if there is an incomplete set, its mem- 
bers are directed to fall out as dummy wounded or for 
special duty as may be required. 
LITTER DRILL. 
23. No. 1 is chief of squad ; No. 4 carries the dressing 
case. 
24. The officer in command will make such changes in 
the personnel of the sets of four as he deems advisable. 13 
The selection of No. 1 should he determined by the intel- 
ligence and experience of the men; No. 4 should be as 
near in size as possible to No. 1, and No. 2to No. 3. The 
fours are then counted again, if necessary. The men 
having once been placed in this manner should always 
fall in thereafter in their assigned places. 
25. The officer then commands ; 
Count Squads; 
when each chief calls out the number of his squad, in 
numerical order from right to left. 
26. Having assigned the medical officers and stewards 
to appropriate duties, he commands: 
Procure Jitter, March; 
when No. 3 of each squad one pace to the front, 
faces as required, proceeds by the nearest route to the 
litters, takes one, and returning with it on the right 
shoulder at a slope of at least forty-five degrees, canvas 
down, resumes his place by passing through his interval 
a yard to the rear, facing about, and stepping into line. 
In procuring, as well as in returning the litters, the 
men follow each other in the numerical order of their 
squads. 
He may then form the line into column of twos or fours 
for marching, or may proceed with the instruction of the 
squads in litter drill. 
DRILL W ITH THE CLOSED LITTER. 
27. To carry Utter from position in line, the order is 
given: 
when No. 3 places his left hand upon the litter at the level 
of the shoulder, and pressing the lower handles backward 
with the right hand brings the upper handles forward 
and downward until the litter is in a horizontal position, 
Carry, Litter; 14 
canvas to the left; meanwhile the other numbers step 
directly to the front, No. 2 until he is opposite the front 
handles, which he seizes with his left hand, and Nos. 1 
and 4 until they are opposite the center of the litter. 
28. The line of litters may be maneuvered by the com- 
mands already given [par. 6] to march forward or backward, 
to side-step at a halt, to pass from quick to double time or the 
reverse, and to change direction during a march. 
29. To march to the rear, a movement which may be 
occasionally required, the commands are; 
when all the members execute an about, No. 2 left, the 
others right, the two bearers meanwhile transferring the 
handles from one hand to the other. On halting, the 
members face about to the front without command. 
To the rear, March; 
30. At a halt, the lifte of litters wheels on the front 
bearer of the right (or left) squad as a fixed pivot. 
31. In changing direction during a forward march, 
the line wheels on the right or left squad as a movable 
pivot until the desired direction is obtained. 
1/ * ' ~ ~ 
32. A single squad, apart from others, is faced as a 
unit, as follows: 
Utter right (or left), Pack; 
when No. 2 steps off to the right and No. 3 to the left, 
both describing a quarter of a circle, so as to make the 
litter revolve horizontally on its center until both face to 
the right—Nos. 1 and 4 maintain their relative positions 
opposite the center of the litter. 
33, In marching the line hy its flank it is converted 
into a column of litters (single), hut this cannot be effected 
hy the commands applicable to men Avithout litters, or 
with litters at a shoulder, because the front occupied by 
the squad does not give enough of space to enable each 
litter to face—a greater interval between the squads is 
needful. 15 
To face the squads of a detachment so as to march them 
in column of litters or to increase the intervals between 
the squads for purposes of drill or service, the commands 
are: 
1. By the right (or left) flank, 2. Take one yard (or more) 
internals, 3. March. 
At the second command the first litter faces to the right 
on a movable center so as to gain sufficient ground, and 
at March advances in the new direction, each succeeding 
litter facing in the same manner as soon as its flank is 
clear and following one yard (or more) in rear of the squad 
on its right until the last squad has obtained its interval, 
when the instructor continues the march or halts the 
command and forms line, as may be desired. 
34. If line is to be formed the commands are: 
Detachment, Halt; Left (or right), Face; or 
By the left for right) flank, March; Detachment, Halt, 
35. The litters being shouldered, par. 47, and rank 
formed, the squads may be closed again by the commands: 
1. By the right (or left) flank, 2. Close intervals, 3. March; 
when the right squad standing fast, the other squads face 
to the right, close up and successively halt, and face to 
the front. 
36. The line of litters at close or open intervals may 
be formed in column of twos by the commands: 
each two wheeling on the front hearer of the right (or left) 
squad as a pivot. 
Litters, Twos right (or left), March; 
37. The column may he formed and marched to the 
front by the commands: 
Eight (or left) forward; Twos right (or left), March. 16 
38. The line formation is recovered by : 
Litters, Twos left (or right), March; Litters, Halt; Eight 
(or left), Dress; Front. 
Left (or right) front into line, March ; Litters, Halt; Right 
(or left), Dress; Front. 
39. Or by: 
40. An about with the litters at open intervals or in 
single column is executed by the commands: 
Litters, About, Face ; 
when Nos. 2 and 3 step off as in facing to the right, par. 
32, bnt continue the movement until both face to the rear, 
the other numbers maintaining their relative positions 
opposite the center of the litter. 
41. To change hearers the commands are given : 
Change Posts, March ; 
when No. 1 takes position as No. 3, and No. 4 as No. 2, 
while Nos. 3 and 2 step to the left and right, respectively, 
into the vacated positions; the change is effected without 
halting if in march. 
42 The chief of squad continues to exercise command 
from whatever position he may occupy. 
43. When the bearers are again changed the members 
of the squad resume the positions as at Carry Litter, par. 
27. 
44. To ground the litter from the position of carry, the 
order is given: 
when Nos. 2 and 3 lower it to the ground, lengthwise 
between the files, canvas up. 
Ground, Litter; 
45. Posts at the grounded litter may at any time be 
recovered by the commands : 
At litter, Posts ; 17 
when the numbers take posts, No. 2 on the right of the 
front handles, No. 3 on the left of the rear handles and 
close to them, and Nos. 1 and 4, respectively, on the right 
and left of the litter at its midlength and one pace from 
it, all facing to the front. This is the invariable position 
taken by each number at the above commands, whatever 
may have been his previous position or duty. 
46. To carry litter when grounded: At the commands : 
Nos. 2 and 3 grasp the litter and raise it from the ground 
to the position of carry. 
Carry, Litter; 
47. To shoulder litter from the position of carry : At the 
commands: 
Shoulder, Litter; 
No. 2 raises his end to assist No. 3, who places the litter on 
his right shoulder, canvas down, supporting it at an angle 
of 45 degrees by the right arm and hand; meanwhile the 
other numbers step backward and align themselves upon 
him in regular order. 
48. To bring the litter to an order from a shoulder : At the 
commands: 
No. 3 brings it to a vertical position and drops the lower 
handles to the ground, supporting it by the right hand at 
the level of the shoulder. 
Order, Litter; 
49. To shoulder litter from the position of order : At the 
commands: 
Shoulder, Litter; 
No. 3 grasps the litter with both hands well below its 
middle, fingers to the front, and raises it to the shoulder. 
50. In the field the litter should always be carried 
closed and only opened on reaching the patient. 
51. To open the litter: At the commands; 
Open, Litter; 
the strapped litter, if at a carry, is first lowered to the 18 
ground, when Nos. 2 and 3 unbuckle the straps and fasten 
the free end of each to the pole, then grasp the ends of 
the right pole with their right hands and rise. This 
leaves the litter suspended longitudinally, canvas to the 
left. They then extend the braces, and supporting the 
litter horizontally by both poles, lower it to the ground 
and resume the position of attention, each between the 
handles of his end of the litter. 
52. This is the position of the squad when at litter posts 
with the open litter. 
53. If the litter he merely folded (that is, unstrapped), 
it is first brought to a carry, if on the ground, par. 46, 
when Nos. 2 and 3 drop the left pole, extend the braces, 
lower the litter, and take position as before. 
54. To close the Utter, the commands are given: 
when Nos. 2 and 3 side-step around the handle to the right 
and left, respectively, face inwards, stoop, and with their 
right hands raise the litter hy the right pole. They then 
fold the braces and support the closed litter with the hand 
grasping the lower handles when they face to the front. 
Close, Litter; 
55. The litter is strapped hy Nos. 2 and 3 at the ter- 
mination of the exercises. 
56. The detachment being in line at a halt, with the 
litter at a shoulder, at the commands: 
Return litter, March ; 
No. 3 steps one pace to the front, faces as required, and 
proceeds by the nearest route to the place designated for 
the litters, where he leaves it, and, returning, resumes his 
position in line. 
drill with the open or loaded litter. 
57. To lift the litter.—The squad being in position with 
the men at litter posts, par. 52, the commands are given: 
Prepare to lift, Lift. 19 
At the first command Nos. 2 and 3 slip the loops of their 
slings over the handles, beginning with the left, and 
grasp the handles ; at the second command they rise slowly 
erect. 
58. At the order; 
the bearers step off, No. 2 with the left, No. 3 with 
the right foot, taking short sliding steps of about 20 
inches, to avoid jolting and to secure a uniform motion 
of the litter. Nos. 1 and 4 step off with the left foot. 
Forward, March; 
59. The so-called single step, which is by far the 
easiest for the patient, but which is acquired with diffi- 
culty, may also be practiced: No. 2 steps off with the 
left foot and No. 3 follows with his right an instant 
later and before No. 2 has planted his right; No. 2’s right 
foot next touches the ground, and is immediately fol- 
lowed by No. 3’s left. 
60. To lower the Utter, the order is given; 
when Nos. 2 and 3 slowly lower the litter to the ground, 
release the slings from the handles, and stand erect. 
Lower, Litter; 
61. The open litter should he lifted and lowered slowly 
and without jerk, both ends simultaneously, the rear bearer 
moving in accord with the front bearer, so as to maintain 
the canvas horizontal; in fact the open litter should be 
handled for purposes of drill as if it were a loaded litter. 
62. For drill with the loaded litter dummy patients 
are directed to lie down wherever required, and each squad 
is separately exercised in loading, marching, passing 
obstacles, unloading, etc., under the orders of its chief 
or an instructor. 
63. To cease drilling and re-form the detachment, the officer 
in command directs the first squad to resume its original 
position in line with loaded litter, whereupon the other 20 
squads at once proceed, in numerical order, to their places 
in line with loaded litter; the patients are then directed 
to rise and fall out. 
64. The litters being lifted, par. 57, or at a carry, pars. 
27, 46, at the commands : 
TO LOAD THE LITTER. 
Take post to load, March ; 
each chief assumes entire charge of his squad, and pro- 
ceeds independently. The squad advances toward its 
assigned patient and halts one yard from his head or feet, 
preferably his head, and in a line with his body. The 
litter is now opened (if it has been carried closed, as is 
the rule in field service, par. 50) and lowered. 
65. The chief of squad then commands : 
Stand to patient, right (or left), March. 
66. With litter at the head of the patient, if the com- 
mand is right, Nos. 2, 1, and 3, proceeding by the right, 
take position, No. 2 at the right knee, No. 1 at the right 
hip, and No. 3 at the right shoulder, while No. 4, passing 
by the left, takes position by the left hip opposite No. 1, 
all facing the patient. 
67. If the command is left, Nos. 2, 4, and 3, proceeding 
by the left, take position, No. 2 at the knee, No. 4 
at the left hip, and No. 3 at the left shoulder, while No. 
1, passing by the right, takes position by the right hip 
opposite No. 4, all facing the patient. 
68. Should the litter be placed at the feet of the patient, 
Nos. land 4 cross each other on their way to their respective 
sides of the patient. 
69. It ■will be seen from the above that, whether the 
command is right or left, the positions of Nos. 1 and 4 are 
invariable, No. 1 at the right hip, No. 4 at the left hip, 
and that the positions of Nos. 2 and 3 are always at the 
knee and shoulder, respectively, on the right or left of 21 
STANDING TO WOUNDED BY THE RIGHT OR LEFT. 
It will be observed that when No. 1 or 4 has placed the litter by the knees of the three 
bearers, and the patient has been lowered, every member of the squad is in his proper position 
for marching off; No. *2 at the feet, No. Bat the head, and Nos. 1 and 4on the right and left 
respectively. 22 
the patient, as the command may be; if right, they are 
on each side of No. 1; if left, they are on each side of 
No. 4. 
70. In field service, Nos. 1 and 4 should run ahead and 
take position at the hip on their respective sides; they 
remove the arms and accouterments of the wounded man 
and examine him to determine the site and nature of the 
injury; and having administered restoratives, if required, 
and applied such dressings or splints as are needful or 
available, in which duty all the members of the squad 
may be made use of, the chief of squad commands: Stand 
to patient, etc., par. 65. 
71. As a rule, the command should be right or left, 
according as the right or left side of the patient is injured, 
so that by having the three bearers on that side a better 
support may be given to the wounded parts. 
72. At this command all the bearers kneel on the right 
knee if on the right of the patient, and on the left knee if 
on his left. No. 2 passes both arms under the patient’s 
legs, carefully supporting the fracture, if there be one. 
Nos. 1 and 4 pass their arms under his hips and thighs 
side by side, not locking hands. No. 3 passes one arm 
under his neck to the further armpit, with the other sup- 
porting the nearer shoulder. 
Prepare to lift. 
Lift. 
73. At this command all lift together slowly and care- 
fully and place the patient upon their knees. As soon as the 
patient is firmly supported there, the bearer on the free 
side (No. 1 or 4) relinquishes his hold, passes quickly and 
by the shortest line to the litter, which he takes up by 
the middle, one pole in each hand, and returning rapidly 
places it under the patient and against the bearer’s ankles. 23 
LIFTING THE PATIENT, PAR. 73. 24 
74. The free bearer, No. 1 or 4, stoops and assists the 
other members in gently and carefully lowering uhe 
patient upon the litter. The bearers then rise and at once 
resume their positions at litter posts, par 52. 
Lower, Patient. 
75. In the field when the ground on which the patient 
lies is such that the litter cannot be placed directly under 
him, it should be placed as near to him as possible and 
preferably in a direction parallel to, or in a line with, the 
body. 
76. It may sometimes be necessary to carry the patient 
to the litter instead of the litter to the patient. The 
bearers having secured their hold, as before described, 
par. 72, rise together and move slowly and steadily to the 
litter. If the distance be great it will be best for Nos. 1 
and 4 to interlock fingers, palms up. 
POSITION OF PATIENT ON THE LITTEK. 
77. The position of a patient on the litter depends on 
the character of hisinjury. An overcoat, blanket, blanket- 
bag, knapsack, or other suitable and convenient article, 
should be used as a pillow to give support and a slightly 
raised position to the head. If the patient is faint the 
head should be kept low. Difficulty of breathing in 
wounds of the chest is relieved by a sufficient padding 
underneath. In wounds of the abdomen the best position 
is on the injured side, or on the back if the front of the 
abdomen is Abounded, the legs in either case being drarvn 
up, and a pillow or other available object placed under 
the knees to keep them bent. 
78. In an injury of the upper extremity, calling for 
litter transportation, the best position is on the back with 
the injured arm laid over the body or suitably placed by 
its side, or on the uninjured side with the wounded arm 
laid over the body. In injuries of the lower extremity 
the patient should be on his back, or inclining toward 25 
the 'wounded side; in cases of fracture of either lower 
extremity, if a splint cannot be applied, it is always well 
to bind both limbs together. 
79. The litter having been brought to a halt and 
lowered, the order is given : 
TO CHANGE BEARERS. 
when Nos. 1 and 4 relieve the bearers, as in par. 41. 
Change March ; 
80. The position of the men under this order holds 
good until posts are again changed, except in the case of 
such a disarrangement of the squad as calls for its re- 
formation by the commands : At Utter, Posts, when all take 
position in accordance with the requirements of par. 52. 
GENERAL DIRECTIONS. 
81. In moving the patient either with or without litter 
every movement should be made without haste and as 
gently as possible, having special care not to jar the in- 
jured part. The command; Steady, will be used to prevent 
undue haste or other' irregular movements. 
82. The loaded litter should never he raised nor lowered 
without orders. 
83. The rear bearer should watch the movements of 
the front bearer and time his own by them, so as to insure 
ease and steadiness of action. 
84. The number of steps per minute will depend on 
the weight carried and other conditions atfecting each 
individual case. 
85. The handles of the litter should be held in the 
hands supported by the slings at arms-leugth, and only 
under the most exceptional conditions should the handles 
be supported on the shoulders. 
86. The hearers should keep the litter level, notwith- 
standing any unevenness of the ground. 26 
87. In making ascents the rear handles should he raised 
fo bring the litter to the proper level, and if the ascent is 
steep No. 1 should come to the assistance of No. 3 in rais- 
ing it to the shoulder if necessary. 
88. In making descents the front handles should he 
raised, and if the descent is steep No. 4 should aid No. 2 
in raising them. 
89. As a rule the patient should he carried on the 
litter feet foremost, hnt in going up hill his head should 
he in front; in case of fracture of the lower extremities 
he is carried up hill feet foremost and down hill head 
foremost to prevent the weight of the body from pressing 
down on the injured part. 
90. For purposes of drill a tag of red or white cotton 
or flannel may he attached to dummy wounded to indicate 
the site and character of the injuries to he cared for. 
91. A breach should be made in a fence or wall for the 
passage of the litter if there he no gate or other opening; 
hut should it he necessary to surmount the obstacle, Nos. 
4 and 1 take hold of the poles each on his own side, thus 
permitting No. 2 to get over, when the front handles are 
passed to him; Nos. 4 and 1 then follow, and taking hold 
near the rear handles support the litter until No. 3 has 
crossed. All then resume their positions and continue 
the march. 
TO PASS OBSTACLES. 
92. The passage of a deep cut or ditch is effected in a 
similar manner; Nos. 1 and 4 bestride or descend into the 
out and support the litter near its front handles until No. 
2 has crossed and resumed his hold, when they then give 
support near the rear handles until No. 3 has crossed. 
93. If the cut or ditch he wide, the litter is halted and 
lowered with the front handles (or feet) near the edge; 
Nos. 4 and 2 descend and advance the litter, keeping it 
level, until the rear handles (or feet) rest upon the edge, when Nos. 3 and 1, who have assisted in this movement, 
descend and resume the support of their respective 
handles; the ascent on the other side is made by Nos. 4 
and 2 resting their handles on the edge, ascending and 
advancing the litter until its rear handles rest upon the 
edge, when 3 and 1 ascend and the march is resumed. 
27 
94. In crossing a running stream or broken or other- 
wise difficult ground NoS. 1 and 4 give support on their 
respective sides of the litter or take full care each of the 
handle of his own side, No. 4in front, No. lin rear. In 
the latter case the commands would be: By four, Carry 
Litter. 
95. Should only three bearers be available, the litter 
is placed as usual at the head of the patient, Nos. 2 and 3 
proceed to their proper positions at the knee and shoulder 
of one side, while No. 1 stands at the hip of the opposite 
side. The patient, having been lifted by the three 
bearers, is supported on the knees of Nos. 2 and 3, while 
No. 1 places the litter in position under him. 
TO LOAD WITH REDUCED NUMBERS. 
96. Another method for three bearers, when it is 
necessary to carry the patient to the litter, is as follows: 
Nos. 2 and 3 take position opposite the knee and hip, 
respectively, while No. 1 stands by the hip opposite No. 
3. As with four bearers, Nos. 2 and 3 should preferably 
be directed to the wounded side. At the usual com- 
mands, Nos. I and 3 stoop and, raising the patient to a 
sitting position, place each one arm and hand around the 
back and interlock the fingers of the other hand, palms 
up, under the upper part of the thighs. The patient, if 
able, clasps his arms around their necks. No. 2 supports 
the lower extremities with both arms passed under them, 
one above, the other below, the knee. 
97. If only two bearers are available (Nos. 2 and 3), 
the patient is necessarily always carried to the litter; No. 
2 proceeds by the right and No. 3 by the left and take 28 
METHOD FOR THREE BEARERS, PAR. 96. 29 
position on opposite sides of the patient near his hips. 
They lift patient as directed, par. 96, for Nos. 1 and 3, the 
legs remaining unsupported, and carry him head foremost 
over the near end and length of the litter. 
98. In case of a fractured lower extremity, the two 
hearers must take hold of the patient on the injured side, 
No. 2 supporting both lower extremities, while No. 3 sup- 
ports the body, the patient clasping his arms around his 
neck. 
TO UNLOAD THE LITTER. 
99. To unload with four or three men, they stand to 
patient as in loading; at the commands : Prepare to lift, 
Lift, they raise him upon the knees, the free bearer re- 
moves the litter, and at Lower, Patient, they lower him 
carefully to the ground. 
100. With two men, they form a two-handed seat and 
lift the patient off the litter; or, in case of fracture, they 
stand on the same side and, stooping, lift him and take 
two steps backward to clear the litter, when they lower 
him to the ground. 
TO TRANSFER PATIENT FROM LITTER TO BED OR 
ANOTHER LITTER. 
101. With four men, the litter being placed close along 
side the bed (on either side), the patient’s head corre- 
sponding to that of the bed, he is taken from the litter and 
supported on the knees in the usual manner. The free 
bearer then removes the litter, and the others having risen 
take a step forward and lower the patient upon the bed. 
102. With three men, the litter is placed at the foot of 
the bed, and in line with it; the three bearers, all on one 
side, lift the patient without kneeling and move cautiously 
by side steps to the bedside. 
103. With two men, the litter is placed at the foot of 
the bed as before, and the patient carried cautiously by 
side steps or carried head foremost over the foot of the 
bed on a two-handed seat. 30 
IMPROVISATION OF LITTERS. 
104. Many objects can be used for this purpose; 
Camp cots, window blinds, doors, benches, boards, lad- 
ders, etc., properly padded. 
Litters may be made with sacks or bags of any descrip- 
tion, if large and strong enough, by ripping the bottoms 
and passing two poles through them and tying cross 
pieces to the poles to keep them apart; two, or even three, 
sacks placed end to end on the same poles may be neces- 
sary to make a safe and comfortable litter. 
Bed-ticks are used in the same way by slipping the 
poles through holes made by snipping off the four corners. 
Pieces of matting, rug, or carpet trimmed into shape 
may be fastened to poles by tacks or twine. 
Straw mats, leafy twigs, weeds, hay, straw, etc., cov- 
ered or not with a blanket, will make a good bottom over 
a framework of poles and cross sticks. 
Better still is a litter with bottom of ropes or raw-hide 
strips whose turns cross each other at close intervals. 
105. But the usual military improvisation is by means 
of two rifles and a blanket. 
One-half of the blanket is rolled lengthwise into a 
cylinder, which is placed along the back of the patient, 
who has been turned carefully on his side. The patient 
is then turned over on to the blanket and the cylinder 
unrolled on the other side. The rifles (with bayonets 
fixed, if at hand) are then laid on the ground under the 
side edges of the blanket, muzzles to the front and some- 
what converging, butts to the rear or head of the patient, 
and are rolled tightly in the blanket, each a like number 
of rolls, until the side of the body of the patient is reached, 
when they are turned hammers downward. 
Two bearers may carry the wounded man in this im- 
provisation, but it is better, whenever possible, that four 
men should do so—two on each side, firmly grasping the 
blanket over the rifle. 31 
METHODS OF REMOVING WOUNDED WITHOUT 
LITTERS. 
106. While it is not desirable that one bearer should, 
ordinarily, be required or permitted to lift a patient un- 
assisted, emergencies may arise when a knowledge of 
proper methods of lifting and carrying by one bearer is of 
the utmost value. 
FOR ONE BEAKER. 
107. A single bearer may carry a patient in bis arms, 
on bis back, or across bis shoulder. 
To bring the patient into any of these positions, the 
first steps are as follows: 
The bearer, turning patient on bis face, steps astride 
body, facing towards the head, and with bauds in his arm- 
pits lifts him to bis knees, then clasping hands over the 
abdomen, lifts him to bis feet and places the patient’s left 
arm around bis (the bearer’s) neck, the patient’s left side 
resting against bis body. 
108. From this position the bearer proceeds as follows r 
To. lift the patient in his arms: 
The bearer, with his right arm behind patient’s back, 
passes his left under thighs and lifts him into position. 
To place patient astride of hack: 
109. The bearer shifts himself to the front of patient, 
back to him, stoops, and grasping his legs above the knees 
brings him well up on his back. 
To place patient across hack: 
110. The bearer with his left hand seizes the right arm 
of the patient and draws it down upon his left shoulder. 32 
ONE BEARER ASTRIDE OF BACK, PAR. 109. 33 
then, shifting himself in front, stoops and clasps the right 
thigh with his right arm passed between the legs, when he 
rises. 
To x>lace patient across shoulder: 
111. The bearer faces patient, stoops, places his right 
shoulder against the abdomen, and clasps the right thigh 
with the right arm passed between the legs; he then grasps 
the patient’s right hand with his left, and draws the right 
arm down upon his left shoulder until the wrist is seized 
by his own right hand; lastly, he, with his left hand, 
grasps the patient’s left and steadies it against his side, 
when he rises. 
112. In lowering patient from these positions the 
motions are reversed. Should a patient be wounded in 
such manner as to require these motions to be conducted 
from his right side, instead of left, as laid down, the change 
is simply one of hands—the motions proceed as directed, 
substituting right for left, and rice versa. 
FOR TWO BEARERS. 
the two-handed seat: 
113. The patient lying on the ground, at the com- 
mand : 
Form two-handed seat, 
the bearers take position facing each other, No. 1 on the 
right and No. 2 on the left of the patient near his hips. 
Prepare to lift. 
They raise the patient to a sitting posture, pass each one 
hand and arm around his back, while the other hands are 
passed under the thighs, palms up, and the fingers inter- 
locked. At the command: 
both rise together. If the patient has to be so carried for a 
Lift, 34 
ONE BEARER ACROSS SHOULDERS, PAR. 111. long distance, the hearers should grasp each other’s wrists 
under the patient’s thighs. In marching the bearers 
should break step, the right bearer starting with the 
right foot and the left bearer with the left foot. 
35 
the four-handed seat: 
114. This method is applicable when the patient has 
considerable strength and the use of his arms. At the 
command: 
the two bearers take position as in par. 113. At Prepare 
to lift, they stoop, pass their hands under the patient’s 
buttocks and form a four-handed seat, each bearer grasp- 
ing his right forearm just above the wrist with the left 
hand, and then grasping the other bearer’s disengaged 
forearm with his own disengaged hand, palms down. At 
the command Lift, both rise together, the patient steady- 
ing himself by passing his arms around the bearers’ necks. 
Form four-handed seat, 
the extremities: 
115. This method requires no eifort on the part of the 
patient; but it is not applicable to severe injuries of the 
lower extremities. One bearer stands by the patient’s 
head, the other between his legs, both facing towards the 
feet. At Prepare to lift, the rear bearer clasps the wounded 
man around the body under the arms, while the front 
bearer passes his arms from the outside under the flexed 
knees. At Lift, both bearers rise together. 
116. A good seat may be made by running the barrels 
of two rifles through the sleeves of an overcoat, so that 
the coat lies hack up, collar to the rear. The front bearer 
rolls the tails tightly around the barrels and takes his 
the rifle seat: METHOD BY TWO BEARERS, PAR. 115. grasp over them; the rear bearer holds by the butts, 
hammers down. 
37 
117. A stronger seat is secured when the gun-slings 
are used. The slings are unhooked and let out to their 
full length from the rear 
swivel. The rifles are then 
placed upon the ground, 
parallel to each other, but 
with the hammers outside, 
at a distance of about 20 
inches. Each sling is 
passed around the opposite 
rifle, then around its own, 
and lastly hooked to the 
front swivel of the other rifle, thus forming a seat 20 inches 
wide and 2 feet long, on which the patient sits with his 
back against the rear bearer, his legs hanging over outside, 
and the hollow of his knees resting upon the barrels. 
THE RIFLE SEAT. 
— 0 „ x 
118. A quicker way to prepare a rifle seat, when a 
twist of the slings is not objectionable, is as follows:* 
Two men with the slings of their rifles loosened, as 
for carrying on the back, face each other and bring their 
pieces to a “present arms.” Thereupon Mo. 1 seizes the 
sling of No. 2’s rifle with the right hand, lifts his own 
rifle with the left hand, and passes the butt through the 
sling from left to right, straightening the piece as soon 
as the hammer has cleared the sling. No. 2 grasps the 
sling of No. I’s rifle with the right hand, and, depressing 
the muzzle of his own piece, passes it through the sling 
he holds, from left to right, straightening the piece as the 
sling is cleared. 
The pieces now being at the original “present,” the 
butts are lowered to the ground, the left hand of each 
man being brought to the muzzle of his gun. No. 2 grasps 
the muzzles, No. 1 stoops and secures the butts. 
* Method of Captain Norton Strong, U. S. A. 38 
THE RIFLE SEAT, PAR, 117. 39 
119. See paragraphs 95 and 96. 
FOR THREE BEARERS. 
TO PLACE A SICK OR WOUNDED MAN ON HORSEBACK. 
120. In emergencies it may be needful to carry a dis- 
abled man on horseback. The help required to mount him 
will depend on the site 
and nature of bis injuries; 
in many cases be is able to 
help himself materially. 
If he be entirely helpless, 
live men are required to 
get him into the saddle— 
one to hold the horse, the 
others to act as bearers. 
The horse, blind-folded, 
is held in position at right 
angles to the patient, who 
lies on the ground on his 
back on the near side, with 
his head towards the 
horse. Nos. 2, 1, and 4 
ms . ■ ■ Birr position as at stand 
to patient hy the left, No. 2 at the ankies on the left, and 
the others at the right and left hip, respectively, while 
No. 3 stands on the off side of the horse ready to grasp 
the shoulders of the patient when they are brought within 
his reach. At Prepare to Lift, No. 2 passes both arms under 
the legs; 1 and 4 place each one hand under the corres- 
ponding buttock and the other under the shoulders, not 
locking hands. At Lift, the patient is carefully raised 
and carried over the horse until his seat reaches the 
saddle. No. 1 now goes quickly around the horse’s head 
to the off side and the patient is made to pivot in the 
saddle. Nos. 3 and 4 on either side supporting and at the 
same time depressing his back while No. 2 raises the legs 
TO PLACE THE PATIENT ON 
HORSEBACK. until the right leg comes within reach of No. 1, when each 
foot is carried downward for support in its stirrup. 
40 
121. To dismount, the process is reversed: Nos. 3 and 
4, standing on each side of the horse, depress the body of 
the patient backward while 1 and 2 raise the legs. The 
patient is then pivoted to the left, No. 1 passing the right 
leg over the pommel to No. 2 and then taking position on 
the near side to lower the patient to the ground or litter, 
as the case may be. 
122. To mount with the assistance of three men : The three 
bearers take position by the patient, as above, on the near 
side of the horse and raise him into the saddle, when, if 
the legs are not injured, No. 2 relinquishes them to take 
post on the off side and aid No. 1 in adjusting them ; but, 
if the legs are injured, No. 1 should take post on the off 
side to aid No 2 in this part of the work, the other mem- 
ber of the squad meanwhile supporting the body in the 
saddle. 
123. With on>y two hearers it is possible, but difficult, 
to place a helpless man on horseback: The patient having 
been raised into the saddle by both bearers, one of them 
goes to the off side to aid in effecting his adjustment. 
124. The patient once mounted should he made as safe 
and comfortable as possible. A comrade may be mounted 
behind him to hold him and guide the horse; otherwise, 
a lean-back must be provided, made (if a blanket roll, a 
pillow, or a bag filled with leaves or grass. If the patient 
be very weak, the lean-back can be made of a sapling 
bent into an arch over the cantle of the saddle, its ends 
securely fastened, or of some other framework to which 
the patient is bound. 
THE TRAVOIS. 
125. The travois consists of a litter drawn by one 
animal, the rear handles trailing on the ground. It is 
the ordinary Indian conveyance for patients and baggage, 
and being such may be considered the best method of 41 
THE TRAYOIS, PAR. 125. improvising means of transport in our western country. 
The travois requires only one animal and two men, one to 
lead the animal, the other to watch the litter and he ready 
to lift its rear poles when passing over obstacles, crossing 
streams, or going up hill. 
It may be improvised by cutting poles about 15 feet long 
and 2 inches in diameter at the small end. These poles 
are laid parallel to each other, small ends to the front and 
feet apart; the large ends about 3 feet apart, and one 
of them projecting Bor 10 inches beyond the other. The 
poles are connected by a crossbar about 6 feet from the 
front ends and another about 2\ feet from the shorter 
rear end, each notched at its ends and securely lashed by 
its notches to the poles. Between the cross-pieces the 
litter-bed, 6-J feet long, is filled in with canvas, blanket, 
etc., securely fastened to the poles and crossbars, or with 
rope, lariat, rawhide strips, etc., stretching obliquely from 
pole to pole in many turns crossing each other to form 
the basis for a light mattress or improvised bed; or a 
litter may be made fast between the poles to answer the 
same purpose. The front ends of the poles are then 
securely fastened to the saddle of the animal. 
42 
THE TWO-HORSE LITTER. 
126. The two-horse litter consists of a litter with long 
handles used as shafts for carriage by two horses, or 
mules, one in front the other in rear of the litter. It 
accommodates one recumbent patient. On a good trail 
it is preferable to the travois, as the patient lies in 
the horizontal position, and, in case of fractured limbs, 
they can easily be secured against disturbance. The 
great disadvantage of this litter is, that it requires two 
animals and three men for the carriage of each patient, 
one to attend to the disabled man and the others to 
watch over and guide the movements of the animals. 
This litter may be improvised in the same manner as the 43 
travois, only the poles should he 164 feet long, and the 
crossbars forming the ends of the litter-bed should be 
fastened 5 feet from the front and rear ends of the poles. 
The ends are made fast to the saddles by notches, into 
which the fastening ropes are securely tied. AMBULANCE DRILL. 
127. The regulation ambulance provides transporta- 
tion for eight men sitting, or two lying. As prepared for 
the road it should contain two closed litters beneath the 
seats, with spai’e litters outside, and four seats for two 
occupants apiece. 
128. The litters are said to be packed when they are 
closed and placed beneath the seats, canvas up. The seats 
are said to he prepared when they are horizontal with the 
leg-irons resting on the floor-plates ; and packed when they 
are hooked against the sides of the wagon. 
129. To take posts at the ambulance, the squad is marched 
to the ambulance preferably by column of files, and when 
within a short distance of it the commands are given: 
At ambulance, Posts, 
when No. 1 takes post on the left, No 2 in the center, and 
No. 3 on the right of the rear of the ambulance and close 
to it, No. 4 on the right of No. 3. 
130. This is the invariable position of the squad at 
ambulance posts; and when disarranged, from whatever 
cause, it may be reassembled by these commands for ser- 
vice at the ambiilance. 
TO PRKPAKE SEATS. 
131. The ambulance having litters and seats packed, 
to prepare seats: 45 
The ambulance being at a halt and the squad at ambu 
lance posts, the commands are given : 
Prepare, Seats. 
Nos. 1 and 3 raise the curtain if necessary and open the 
tail-gate : Nos. 2 and 3 enter the ambulance, No. 2 facing 
the front and No. 3 the rear seat of their respective sides. 
Each man seizes the loAver edge of the seat about six 
inches from the ends with both hands and lifts it care- 
fully to free the hooks from the upper slots, and then 
slips them into the lower slots; he raises the legs and 
adjusts them to the seat which he tries for firmness before 
leaving it. He then prepares in like manner the other 
seat of his side. 
132. When the seats are prepared, No. 2 leaves the 
ambulance, but No. 3 remains, unless otherwise directed, 
until he has stowed such baggage as may be passed to 
him by the other bearers; they now resume their places 
at ambulance posts. 
TO PACK SEATS. 
133. The ambulance being at a halt and the squad at 
ambulance posts, the commands are: 
Nos. 1 and 3 raise the curtain, open the tail-gate, and each 
removes the litter on his own side, laying it on the ground 
two yards in rear; Nos. 2 and 3 enter the ambulance, No. 
2 facing the front and No. 3 the rear seat of their respec- 
tive sides. Each man holds the seat with one hand and 
folds the leg-irons with the other ; then seizing the front 
of the seat with both hands he raises the seat to clear the 
hooks from the lower slots and slips them into the upper 
slots. He then packs in like manner the other seat of his 
side. 
Pack, Seats. 134. As soon as the seats are packed the bearers re- 
sume their places at ambulance posts. 
46 
135. Should it be necessary to pack seats while the 
ambulance is in motion, the tail-gate is opened, Nos. 2 
and 3 enter, pass out the litters to Nos. 1 and 4, respec- 
tively, and pack the seats as described. 
TO LOAD THE AMBULANCE. 
136. The litter being lifted, at the commands: 
Take post to load ambulance, March, 
the squad proceeds to the ambulance, and when one yard 
from the rear step, halts and faces the litter about, so that 
the head of the patient is towards the rear of the ambu- 
lance, and then lower it. 
137. At the command: 
Prepare to load, 
Nos. 2 and 3 face about ('towards the ambulance) and 
Nos. 1 and 4 face the litter; No. 3 steps outside of his 
right handle and faces the litter. No. 2 remains between 
the rear handles, and No. 1 takes post outside the left 
handle opposite No. 3 and facing him, while No. 4 opens 
the tail-gate and sees that the ambulance is in suitable 
condition for the reception of the patient. If he requires 
assistance No. 1 should render it. 
At the command: 
Load, 
the three bearers, Nos. 1, 2, and 3, stoop, grasp their re- 
spective handles and slowly raise the litter to the level 
of the floor of the ambulance and advance to it, being 
careful to keep the litter in a horizontal position; the 
legs are placed on the floor by Nos. 1 and 3 and the litter 
pushed in by No. 2, assisted by the others. When this is 47 
accomplished, Nos. 1, 2, and 3 are in positional ambulance 
posts, No. 1 on the left, No. 2 in the center, and No. 3 on. 
the right, facing the rear of the ambulance and close to- 
it. Nos. 1 and 3 fasten the tail-gate; No. 4 places in the 
forward compartment the arms and accouterments of the 
patient (if any) and then takes his position on the right. 
After this No. 1, having seen that everything is secure,, 
faces the men about and marches them off to continue the 
drill by bringing up another loaded litter, returning to 
unload, etc. 
TO UNLOAD THE AMBULANCE. 
138. The squad having been brought to ambulance 
posts, the order is given: 
when Nos. 1 and 3 open the tail-gate and No. 2 lays hold 
of the projecting handles. At the command; 
Prepare to unload, 
No. 2 draws out the litter, Nos. 1 and 3, facing inward, 
support the poles until the front handles are reached. 
The litter, carefully supported in a horizontal position, is 
then lowered with the head of the patient one yard in 
rear of the wagon; No. 4 closes the tail-gate, and all take 
position at litter posts. The litter is then lifted and 
carried in the required direction. 
Unload, 
139. At the conclusion of the drill -with ambulances 
the detachment is re-formed in line of litters as in par. 63-