Two consecutive nationwide outbreaks of listeriosis in France

An improved control and locking device for a hospital bed such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 496,212, filed on Aug. 9, 1974. The locking device is utilized to provide a positive lock of the hospital bed in a Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg position and eliminate the capability to manualy or inadvertently remove the bed from such position. As depicted herein, the locking device is a pivotal abutment which normally precludes release of a hook holding the bed in a Trendelenburg position. Yet, when the entire bed is raised by its electric motor, the abutment is automatically withdrawn from its abutting, locking position to permit the bed to lower under electric power.