The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1884-03-01
LEGS AND ARMS.
An Art by which Portions OF the Hu-
man Anatomy Are Successfully Du-
4 pIlcated
IChicago Herald

IChicago Herald
You want to know how artificial
limbs are made? Why that question
could hardly be answered in volumes"
calculated the doctor, when the reporter
pressed his question. He then opened
large glass case and pointed to an
artificial leg, which, had it not been for
the somewhat livid color of the enamel,
would have led the observer to believe
it had just been severed from the body.
Now, here, said the doctor, is the
best anatomical leg In the market. It
sounds funny, doesn't it, to speak of
legs in the marketp I'll try to give
you an idea as we'll as can without the
aid of illustrations. The ankle joint is
formed by ball of polished glass, ply
ing in socket of vulcanite of India
rubber, which Is joint that admits of
every motion that the natural ankle
does, without exception. It is the first
joint ever invented which never re-
quires oiling. At the base of the calf of
the leg there are four India rubber
springs, which take the place of the
muscles of the natural leg. From these
springs the tendons, with screw-heads
on the upper end, pass to the ankle joint,
and the nuts serve to regulate the ten
sion of the tendons and springs TO suit
the wearer. The knee joint is formed
by an axial bolt plying In two segments
of circle. one of which is adjus BILE to
prevent looseness and nose. A spring
operates the knee-joint and carries the
foot forward at each step, with any de-
gree of motion desired to suit the Pc
culiar gait of the wearer. It is made
from India rubber, and adjustable like
the others. The motion of the knee
joint is limited and controlled by q
cord, which takes the place of the cru
cial hgaments of the natural knee-joint;
SO, there is no unpleasant jar caused by
the contact of the solid parts, and the
annoyance and expense of sending the
leg to the maker every now and then
to have the joints bushed to keep them
from wearing loose and rafting is en-
tirely avoided. In form, as you see, the
limb is made to correspond exactly with
the natural one. It is then covered
with delicate skin, which is enameled
with the most delicate tinted fesh-col-
ored enamel, shaded to suit each par
ticular case"
Formerly" the doctor continued,
"the manufacture of artificial legs was
almost entirely left to common me-
chanics, and strange to say, to those
who had suffered amputation, and had
little or no knowledge of anatomy.
| They initiated some of the motions of
the natural leg quite well, but others
not at all. Indeed, it could hardly be
| Ill 4I,,l l. ,l<1.1o -
should be able to model leg so close
to nature as to initiate all the varied
motions of the natural leg -
There is the so-ealled army and
navy leg,' constructed by the earnest
request of surgeons, who wanted for
their patients strong, durable leg, and
| yet not costing a sum too large for q
person of limited means to pay. It has
no lateral or side motion, but has India
rubber springs that cannot be broken,
and which give an easy, graceful mo-
tion, like that of the natural limb. Eng
lish willow, leather, silk and steel are
the principal materials. The leg is
ventilated completely. and the top rim
is bound with brass, which prevents
splitting of the socket. The leg is
easily taken apart and put together, and
will stand the test OF years.
"The mechanism of an artificial arm" !"
said the doctor, lis. of course, more
complicated, but still the principle to
initiate nature is retained in this case
also. Inside the thumb strong spring
is inserted to enable it press upon any
object put betweenit and the two first
fingers of the hand; this gives the natu-
raj requirements for holding a pen,
knife, fork, book, etc. The curved and
graceful constructions of the fingers
give the hand an easy, natural appear
ance, with shape and strength to carry
pail of water, to use the lines in driv-
ing, or to assist the other hand in lift.
ing and working where two hands are
needed. The elbow joint is so con-
structed that it can be fexed or ex-
tended at will, in fact, without any as
sistance from the other hand, retaining
any desired position. .
A Curious Variation.
I'sManhattann in Chicago Journal.