The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-06-06
ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.
Even Ancients Replaced Arms or Legs
That Had Been Lost.

Man is undoubtedly the superior of the
animal In many ways, but it cannot be
concealed that in some things animals
have considerable advantages which we
may well regard with envious eyes. Take
the crab and the lobster Go mention a
couple by way of example) for instance;
should one OF these creatures lose llrnD
as the result of accident, attack or STRIFE,
kindly nature at once sets to work to sup
ply the individual with fresh member,
quite as good, if not better, than its
predecessor.
Man, on the contrary. has to rely upon
his wits to make good those losses which
result from his wars, street accidents,
railway collisions and other del ex ma
china to which he is exposed at any min
ute. Many of the marvellous artificial
aids now obtainable are regarded as es-
senttal products of modern times, but as
a matter OF fact, appliances of this KIND
are by no means modern In the museum
of the Royal College of Surgeons, Lin
coins Inn Fields, London, there is an
artificial leg. made about 300 B. c., of
bronze, wood and iron Again, who has
made in Nuremberg, Germany, in 1904, for
the German knight, Gotz Won Belich1n-
gen? Among the old-time Indians ears,
noses and lips of plaster were quite COM
mon, one of their ordinary punisnments
being to cut off these useful parts of the
human anatomy. Greek and Roman
veterans who had lost leg or an arm in
the wars used to replace them by very
capable substitutes, andPlinius speaks of
Roman soldier who about $50 years B. 60
was famous for his wooden hand with
which, he was still able to fight as an able
swordsman. In 1904 the Duke of Bruins
wick had to use an artificial hand.
Artificial limbs with movable joints
We're also largely made by the famous
Ambrose Pare Q517 to 1890. the celebrated
French Surgery He was surgeon to
Henry II. and Henry III. He substituted
the ltgature of arteries in the treatment
of gunshot wounds which, previously, had
to be cauterized with boiling OIL Later
on Father Sebastin, Carmelite monk
was renowned for the manufacture OF
die of the seventeenth century Falcinelli
a Florentine surgeon, mentions artificial
eyes of gold, silver and crystal painted in
different colors:he also describes gold and
silver 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 for a long time.
artificial arms, legs and hands are fair
~ well known and need but little descr1p-
ton. OF the more concealed members we
may mention artificial feet, which vary
considerably in construction, material and
price. After what is known as a Hey's or
a Chopart's operation leaving the heel
and part of the sole of the foot, the
main idea is to make a preSentable ap-
of L4gher amputation, where an artificial
ankle-joint is needed. it may take the
form of a transitive rod, working in a
socket, or of two rule joints one on
either side of the stump: the lateral yield
ing of the foot is sometimes initiated by
side springs which yield to lateral pressure.
One of the best substitutes for the real
foot is a curved sole (BeauforD, where
the movement has a natural appearance,
though the substitute itself is somewhat
The simplest form of artificial
foot is a peg at4the end of a bucket
which holds the stump The center of the
artificial ankle is Gotten on the ball and
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 Syme's operation (amputa-
ton below the knee, pressure can o.
borne on the extremity of the stump and
and occupation of the patient; in amputa-
tons above the knee the weight can be
sheath. The simplest form of artificial
hand is a leather sheath laced to the arm
stump, and so fitted that a knife, fork or
spoon can be screwed into it. Other hands
open and close by hydraulic pressure; the
Beaufort hand is of wood, with NOV
able thumb. Prices of artificial limbs
''box-leg,' on which the cripple kneels
with II e stump pointing to the rear, can
be had for about Is shillings, while a
jointed mechanical leg may run up to as
much as so guineas.
One of the greatest triumps ever re-
ported in this curious industry, however,
by man whom Dr. Delair Ga French
doctor) exhibited recently to the members
Of the French Medical Academy Owing
to 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
a marvellous piece of mechanism the
patient has had his appearance restored |
20 him. The mechanism consists of four |
parts; in the first place of a silver |
srooved case, in which the lower row of |
artificial teeth are fixed, attached to a |
in device containing the upper teeth; |
here is also second part of indurated |
'ubber and gold to hold the upper front |
eeth, the whole terminating in two small |
lorn-like pegs, shaped as to hook into |
he nostrils. The third part consists OF !
he chin and lower lip, which are made |
If special soft rubber painted in flesh |
int in a most deceptive manner. The |
,hin is also covered by a false beard. At /
he back of this portion there are several |
small screws which pass through holes in |
he tooth holders, and thus join the chin |
and lip to the artificial upper jaw and |
palate. The fourth and last piece is the |
upper lip and nose, also made of flesh /
tinted soft rubber and covered with |
'alse mustache. Thanks to this skillful |
the man is able to speak and |
chew his food while at a short distance |
t is Impossible to discern that his face is |
lot natural The different parts have to |
De unscrewed once a day and well washed |
With water and soap.-Scientific Ameri- |
IAN.