Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-08-08

tom Of this artificial foot with soft
sponge rubber tho step cannot from its,
sound, be distinguished from that Of
the natural limb.
1t y far more di1lcult 70 construct an
arm than leg, owing to the manifold
uses required. Manufacturers general
~ are inclined to furnish arms that arc
much too complicated. particularly for
the laboring classes. The arm Is con-
structed much after the principee Of the
leg. and Is manufactured principally
from leather and steel. 1t IL held firmly
on the stump by an improved form Of
shoulder cap so constructed that In car
rying an object the weight Is thrown
wholly on the shoulder. Strong bands
pass across to and connect with small
er piece that encircles- the opposite
shoulder, passing under the arm, at
which point 1t Is well padded. The ell
bow may be swung freely or set at any
angle. To accomplish the latter small
button Is pressed after the limb has
been fiexed, when 1t will remain In that
position until released. Movements Of
the fingers are effected by pad on the
inside Of the arm. BY pressing the arm
against the side this pad Is forced clese
to the arm. thus by a connecting Of
springs operating the fingers OF the
hand. The hand is manufactured 80 1t
will close by springs and be opened by
the pad, or vice versa. For business
men who wish an appliance for holding
papers or documents an apparatus is
constructed that Is worked by the pad
mechanism or system Of attachments.
Such an arm can be fitted to those hav-
ing three inches or more Of stump, and
provided 1t retain healthy degree OF
force and rigidity 1t will enable the
wearer to raise his hand to his mouth or
forehead, and to take his hat Off his
head. These arms are made very stout,
and can do service In carrying heavy
valises, baskets, bundles. etc.. together
with holding the lines In driving. The
hands are constructed with or without
wrist movement, as desired, owing to
the class Of work that will be required
of them.
The fact that person can write with
an artificial hand and arm furnishes q
subject for thought that has been dwelt
upon by the wisest, most thoughtful of
men with only the result Of utter battle
ment The fingers of an artificial hand
are capable Of but two general motions
or actions-namely: that Of closing upon
the pen and Of releasing 1t. Not at all
are the artificial fingers capable Of a
single one Of the many delicate and Of
ten almost imperceptible movements
performed by the natural fingers, hand,
and wrist every time word, however
short. Is written. Any trick connection,
whatever, between the three or four
inches of stub Of arm and the-after
all-clumsy imitation of the human
arm, hand and fingers, Is totally I'M
possible. And yet that man writes
the moment he takes up the pen In the
artificial fingers. This matter has now
become so common among the craft as
to attract no more attention.
The railroads Of the country furnish
10000 customers every year for artif-
cial limb makers, while the other mu-
tilating agencies-sawm1lls, other mills,
mines, factories, the Fourth of July,
etc.-bring the number up TO something
frightful to everybody except, possibly,
those engaged in this artificial bust
ness.
Two Of the supremely triumphant in
stances Of artificial limb furnishing are
in Chicago. Whenever the weather Is
fine and the pavements in good condi-
ton people residing on Grand boule-
ward may frequently see an unusually
pretty, dashing young lady riding a
wheel, generally at high speed, along
the driveway. If now and then the
buggies get too thick to suit her COM
fort she springs from her wheel and
dashes aside to the walk with all the
grace and agility Of the best Of them.
She has worn an artificial leg from the
thigh down for nearly three years. A
member Of the firm that furnished 1t Is
ready at any time to wager 81, ZOO that
no person can pick the young lady out
in a party of young ladies walking or
riding wheels. The other case Is that
Of the son of retired banker living on
the North Side. A number Of years ago
the young man lost both hands and both
feet by having them frozen. Artificial
substitutes with marvellous capacity Tor
action were procured for him-though
in Europe. He Is fine horseman, and
seldom day pass that he is not seen
out alone behind as high spirited pair
Of steppers as ever rolled road wagon
along Lake Shore drive. He is men,
Der Of two CT three clubs, frequents the
theaters, and attends many receptions.
He lifts his hat, removes his overcoat,
uses his handkerchief and lights a CT
gar.
The making Of artificial noses and
ears has also become a good business
within the last few years. A nose Is first