The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-08-24
Made in Sixteen Century


| Artificial limbs with movable joints were
also largely made by the famous AMBROSE
| Pare d517 20 1890, the celebrated French
| surgeon known as 'The Father of French
| Surgery" He was surgeon to Henry IL
| d552), and also to Francis III, Charles TX.
and Henry III. lie substituted the liga-
ture of arteries in the treatment of gun
shot wounds which, previously, had to be
! oauterized with boiling oil. Later en-
Father Sebastin, u Carmeite monk, was
renowned for the manufacture of movable
| arms and hands About the middle of the
seventeenth century Falcinelli a Floran-
| tine surgeon, mentions artificial eyes of
gold, silver ard crystal painted In differ
ent colors; he also describes gold and sill
yer ears which were either tied to the
head with strings, or else sewn on the
skin of the scalp by the aid of gold and
silver wire Silver noses are spoken of
also as having been in use for q long
| time.
Artificial arms, legs and hands are fair
| ly well known and need but little descrip-
ton. OF the more concealed members We
may mention artificial feet which vary
considerably in construction, material and
price, After what Is known as Hey's or
a Choparts operation. leaving the heel
and a part of the sole of the FOOT, the
main idea is to make presentabe ap-
pearance with a cork-filled boot In cases
of higher amputatjon. where az artificial
ankle-joint is needed, it may take c~e
| form of a transit:ve rod working in n
| socket, or of two ''rule joints" one on
either side Of the stump; the lateral yield
ing of Il foot is sometimes initiated by
side springs whicn yield to lateral prcs-
sure. One of the best substitutes for the
real foot is a curved sole (Beaufore,,
where the movement has a natural APP
pearance, though the substitute itself is
of artificial foot is a peg at the end of a
bucket which holds the stump. The
center of the artificial ankle is often on
the ball and socket joint principle
Artificial Foot
The artificial foot is sometimes extend
ed by means of catgut strings fastened
at the back of the knee, with flexible
bands passing down over the surface of
the foot. In Symes operation (amputa-
tion below the knee). pressure can be
borne on the extremity of the stump, and
the foot can be made to suit the purse
and occupation of the patient; in ampu-
tations above the knee the weight can be
borne on the extremity or by leather
| sheath. The simplest form of artificial
| hand is leather sheath laced to the arm
4 stump, and so fitted that a knife, fork
/! or spoon can be screwed into 1t. Other
hands open and close by hydraulic pres
| sure Tie beaufort manu- IL VI Wtots wiz.
| a movable thumb. Prices of artlhciai
| limbs vary greatly; for instance. an ordi-
nary ''box Leg" on which the cripple
| kneels with the stump pointing to the
| rear, can be had for about 10 shillings,
while jointed mechanical leg may run
| up to as much as 80 guineas.
One of the greatest triumphs ever re-
| ported in this curious industry, however.
! Is undoubtedly the mechanical face worn
| by a man whom Or. Delair Ca French
dQctor) exhibited recently to the members
OF the French Medical academy Owing
10 the accidental discharge of fowling
/! piece the whole lower portion of this
mans face was destroyed, and a portion
of the tongue seriously damaged. but by
marvellous piece of mechanism the pa
tient has had his appearance restored to
him. The mechanism consists of four
parts; in the first place of a silver grooved
case. in which the lower row of artificial
teeth are fixed. attached to tin device
containing the upper teeth: there Is also
second part Of indurated rubber and