The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-03-09
Artificial Limbs,

The history of orthoplastie begins
more than century ago. Before that
time we are acquainted with only five
cases in which attempts were made to
supply lost limb by an artificial SUBJ
stitute. One of the most celebrated of
these is the iron hand of Goetz Won Ber-
lichingen, which was, after all, only a
poor contrivance. In 1755, Hugo Rava-
ton, Frenchman, gave a new stimulus
ito this art by inventing kind of iron
boot, and during the war of liberation a
good deal of attention was directed to
the subject in Germany. The work,
however, was carried on without any
fixed system, and so it frequently hap
pened that those who at first employed
| carefully constructed artificial foot, af-
terward abandoned it for an old-fashion-
ed wooden leg. After the war of 1866, a
military commission was appointed to
inquire into the best means of supplying
the loss of amputated limbs, in conse-
quence of which the mechanists of Ger
many showed warm interest in the sub
ject, and friendly rivalry ensued among
them. Mr.. Pfster, of Berlin, whose
name had frequently been mentioned in
medical journals at a still earlier period,
particularly distinguished himself.
Thirty years ago it was considered an
open question whether wood or metal
was preferable as the material for arti-
fetal limbs, and during the italian and
American wars wood on the whole was
preferred. Pfster, however, employed
tin and German silver. He won prize
while still young man, at an exhibition
in Munich, in the year 1S49, and since
then he has been constantly engaged in
endeavoring to perfect the art. His own
snfferings-he himself is obliged to weaI
false leg-enabled him to Judge oi
what is really required, and by unweary-
ing care and study, he has at length sue
ceeded in establishing system which
satisfies every demand that can reason.
ably be made of an artificial limb. Du.
rability, lightness, and certainty in use
are combined with the natural form O.
the arm or leg. The proper disposition
of the fastenings, elasticity of movement
and the determination of the centre O
gravity, according to each individua
case, are the points to which Pfistel
specially directed his attention, and il
all of them he has proved himself tru'
master. The stump of the amputatet
limb, which is frequently very sensitive
is exposed to no pressure, but hangs un
touched in a cushioned case.
Every one who has been unfortunat
enough to lose an arm or leg, must re
mark that the stump undergoes man,
changes. Artificial limbs made O
metal are more easily changed to sui
these than those made of wood, ant
metal feet require fewer repairs, whil,
their weight is not greater. In other re
spects the works of Pfster are also excel
lent. With one of his artificial limbs i
is possible. not only to stand working tn
whole day, but also to walk for consid
erable distance without support. Thu
he himself visits his patients on foot
and ascends three pair of stairs withou
any difficulty. When the amputatio
has been favorable, his artificial feet ca,
scarcely be distinguished from real one
in quiet movement, and except in rapid
ity, almost everything can be done wit
them, as we'll as with natural foo
Even patients who have had both fee
amputated use these artificial limbs wit
/ great success. tits, therefore, no wonde
that even foreigners, especially English
men and Russians, apply to him eithe
in person or by sending cast of th
healthy limb. Pfster's artificial hanG
are, however, perhaps, his greatest SUI
, cess and they have enabled many, wh
were unfortunate enough to lose theil
! in 1866, to retain their positions. The
differ greatly in price, according to I'll
, character of the work required. I'll
q distinguished mechanist is now engage
j in perfecting a new system, which /
. hopes will greatly facilitate writing wit
. artificial hands, though what he has a
i ready done in this respect is astonishing