The National tribune., 1893-01-26
ARTIFICIAL LIN BIS.
DR.. Perley's Argument Torn to Pieces By
Oue-LeCped Soldier.

DR.. PerIey's Argument Torn 10 fioceb py
One-Legged Soldier.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: would like
to say few words in reference to what DR..
Perley, of the Surgeon. Generals Office, said to
Representative Sayers. of Texas, about artif-
cial limbs, as detailed in THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE of Jan. S. 1t is certainly q mis-
statement of facts. and very misleading. /
don't sec how q single claim agent can receive
any benefit by having the time reduced from
five years to three years. As is we'll known to
every soldier that is entitled to an artificial
limb, or communication for same, all he has to
do is to write the Surgeon General and state
which he wants, when the proper papers will
be forwarded to him to be filed out and 70.
turned, when the voucher will be sent to
him. II is just as easy as getting our PEN
sion papers filed out for our quarterly pay,
and we all know that there is not particle OF
need for the services of claim agent to do that.
And when the Doctor says "that there 10 not
the slightest reason why artificial limbs should
be renewed even every Eve years. let alone
every three years, rs one limb would last a
man from six to eight years with the hardest
kind of wear, and some would last lifetime"
he is simply talking through his hat"
Now, by reason Of little army impediment,
having been knocked out at the battle Of Nash
vile, have been wearing an artificial leg
since 1865, and know by experience that it
keep myself supplied with artificial legs, and
all the Incidental expenses thereto. l don't
know how it is with all who wear artificial
legs. No doubt. some wear leg much longer
than others. Then, again, some spend more
money on artificial limbs than / do. So pre-
sumo am about the average, both as to wear
and the price. have never yet got leg but
wfat paid more for 1t than the Government
allowance, namely, S75.
/ am now wearing my fourth leg, which ]
got Ave or six years ago. ! got a new foot for
it last year, and within the next year or SO
will be obliged to get new leg. For the first
leg paid $780, the others from $85 to 500:
but this is not all, and something many lose
sight OF. The expense of getting the leg costs
nearly as much as the leg itself. Railroad fares
and hotel bills while in the city being fitted,
besides the expense of repairs, lacers, cords
springs and the many things needed to keep
the old leg going, costs money, and should be
taken into consideration when calculating the
expenses to the wearers of artificial limbs
True, the law allows US transportation when
we get a leg OH Government order But very
few take the order. They take the commute.
tion-the $75 only. I have never taken the
order yet, from the fact that when it was due
didn't just at that time need a new leg. SO
took the money instead, and no doubt that 1,
why so many take the money when the order
is due for a leg. And this is much cheaper to
the Government as in many instances long rail
road fares are saved. AS the law now stands
we get SIS every three years, and sincerely
hope that it will not be repealed, for, l believe
counting all the expenses that the average
wearer of an artificial leg is put to by reason
of tho same, $25 year will not more than
compensate hind. L. LEE, Sergeant, Co. T.
list Ohio, Troy, O.