Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1888-07-03

self to tho manufacture OF Rrtlilcln
limbs, and after much thought and OK
pertinent he took out patent In 1860
Before Mr. Douglass time artificial
limbs were extremely complicated. bu
Mr. Douglass has greatly simplifct
their construction. so that now
the patient himself can OF
and adjust them; and he has n
the same time so closely counter
feited nature that il is difficult to dis
tingrlish The artificial member from
genuine flesh and blood. When an
artificial leg is to be made tho stump
is tightly bnndaged from fortnight
TO six weeks to reduce the flesh. Dur
, ing this time at least II dozen measure
monts are taken of tho other leg and
of the stump, and by these measure
mcnts rough leg is worked out
which is fitted and thoroughly tested.
This done. the leg is taken back 10 tho
factory and finished. Tho shaping OF
tho log depends entirely on tho eye OF
the workman, assisted by his anatom-
ical knowledge and the measurements
The wood generally used Is willow,
because II does not warp. and because
it is light, strong. aud capable of being
nicely firishcd. Tho patient is always
visited, if possible, but II not the same
measurements arc taken, and the work.
man rarely fails 10 reproduce exactly
the size. shape and appearance Of tho
remaining limb. Tho foot of the arii-
fetal leg is hollow, and even the toes
are carved with great oxactness. They
nrc hinged 10 tho rest of the foot and
are connected with double spring,
which acts on tho toes and foot al
ternhtoly. This spring Is connected
with string of sleeps gut which
passes back of tho foot over q small
half-pullcy block in the heel and is
attached TO an adjustable bar In tho
calf of the leg by steel wire with
hook Mt the end. Tho othor end of tho
small bar is connected with the heel
by two strings of catgut of larger size,
which are so stout that they can sus-
tain the weight of ton. 1t used to
be the method to pass this cntgut
through two holes In the bottom of tho
foot and thcn lie simple knot But
it was found that friction even of l.
/, 000th Of an inch would cause the ca
gut to break in time. so Mr.. Douglass
now passes The cords into IA small hole
In front of the heel and there fastens
thom by steel forulc. In the center Of
the half-pullcy block IN tho heel Is q
small steel axle. and the block is
firmly fixed against n small piece of
hickory. Tho axle, with tho elasticity
and tho adjustable bar In the calf of
the leg, allows the foot to turn with
tho pllancy of the real article. II tho
is made below the knee.
the adjustment 10 the stump is mado |
by n socket of soft leather lined with |
tho finest buckskln. and Is fastened TO |
tho stump by lNcings. Tho socket ia
attached to the iartiiiclal legs with
strong steel bars running pcrpondlcu-
Iarly. II the amputalion is above tho |
linco the socket is of wood instead Of
buckskin, and is fastened to the body
by elastic straps running over tho
The knee joint Is the finest
piece of workmanship in the leg. Tho
connection of the artificial leg and
thigh is sometimes made by cords
Of thread running up the leg
and fastened TO the thigh by straps.
but Mr.. Douglass has an ingenious
method of his own. A pllable strap
of steel Is run to q bar In the lower
end of the artificial thigh, throwing
the weight of the body almost equally |
on the bar and the bolt The greatest
care is exercised in the manufacture Of
the bars, belts and steel work of the
leg. In order 10 prevent friction the
bolts are made as hard as possible, and
the remaining steel work Is II adc q
littlo softer AS the bolts are inter-
changeablo whenever slight wear IS
noticed, new surface can be exposed |
to wear by turning them quarter
round. The leg being shaped and
fitted is covered with raw calfskin,
slightly dampcd, and dried over fro
for three or four days. The skin is
then sandpapcre 10 perfect smooth
ness end covered with fifty coats OF
enamel, which gives TO the leg cold.
life-liko appearance. -BoSton Herald