The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-09-16
rms noe mas A WOODEN LEG.
He Takes kindly 90 II. and soon He Is 20
Have a Regular Artificial Limb.

FTVUV Wt DOoloN H''''"H
MILTON, Sept. 5-This town boasts a dog
with "A wooden leg Nat, a keen-eyed fox
TERROR, hardly a year old, Is a source Of never
ending wonder and curiosity 10 Dorchester
veterinary surgeons as we'll as to tho blue
blooded residents on the brow OF Blue Hill
avenue, Milton Hill.
Nat" who Ia the property of Arthur Merritt,
came TO grief on July 1, when he fell from the
rear porch TO the ground, a distance OF four
teen feet. When Nat" was picked up IL was
seen that he was suffering great pain,
and two geterinaries were Immediately sum
moned. Upon examination II was discovered
that the poor animals right foreleg was broken,
and upon treating him for two days, vainly
endeavoring to give the dog some relief, the
doctors stated there was no hope for poor
Nat" and recommended shooting before
~hydrophobia set in.
The Merritt family was loath to execute
the verdict, especially as the animal had been
the constant playmate OF the two children
boy and girl, aged o and 10. also being, an es-
pecial %favorite with every one on the hill. The
dog was also valued at 5000, being "a thorough
bred. So il was decided to give Nat" one
more chance for his life, and at length DR..
John O'Connell Of Dorchester was sent for.
Upon arrival. the latter was informed Of the
non-success OF his, colleagues, and asked to
state frankly whether or not there Was any
real chance Of saving the dogs life.
The doctors answer was a thorough inves-
tiRatlon Of the injured member. He found
that the break was AT the point corresponding
with the elbow Of the human arm, The break
was q bad one. and the dogs leg had swollen
TO almost twice its natural size. .Qangrene
had set in. At first the case looked hopeless.
and the doctor was about to add his verdict
TO that Of his colleagues, when suddenly a
daring idea presented itself. He would am
putate the limb and substitute for II a wooden
one. Success would mean a triumph, both
for him and surgery.
Unfolding his plans TO Mrs. Merritt. whose
husband il in Europe, he tenderly carried the
little animal home to the Bowdoin Kennels
and made ready for the operation. The ami
nal was etherized. as n human patient would
have, been. and the leg was carefully ampu-
tated Just above the first Joint, and then il
was a case Of waiting until the wound should
heal.
When granulntion had set in and the doctor
had adjudged the wounded part not too sensi-
Of a tree, was carefully fitted 10 the stump. A
sort Of harness, suitably padded ana worked
on the same principle as braces. kept the wooden
stump In place,
Atfrst the animal refused to move. not know |
ing what TO make Of the strange gear. but fnd-
10 make the most Of what he evidently consid-
cred a bad bargain. and now stumps sturdily
around his present quarters.
The skin has grown firmly around the wooden
stump where IL Joins. and the stump has evil
IDENTIFY become accustomed to its surroundings.
operation II looked upon by all. both lay
and professional men, as. a complete success,
and one almostu nheard Of In the annals Of vet
Urinary surgery.
The Merritts are delighted nj the result ~ the
experiment, and as for Nat, he hops and goes
around the confines Of the spacious
advent Of n new cork leg, which his proud own |
ers have ordered for him.