FOR CRIPPLED SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2765, 8 May 1916, Page 7

FOR CRIPPLED SOLDIERS

SUPPLY OP ARTIFICIAL LIMBS. ' On the subject of supplying artificial limbs to returned soldiers in need of such aids, the Inspector-General of Hospitals (Dr. Valintine) has made the following statement:—"New Zealand soldiers who are wounded in' Egypt or in any other'part of the theatre of war, and whose injuries necessitate t>e amputation of an arm or leg, will bo sent to England, where they will' he supplied with artificial limbs of the very best kind.. It is a great advantage to' firms manufacturing artifical limbs to be able to seo the patients themselves, and the sufferers who have not tho opportunity of going to England are certainly handicapped. It is for that very reason that it is essential to have some firm here which could make suitable limbs; and though theso limbs may not be quite up to. tho quality of the limbs which c'aii bo got at Home, that would be compensated for by the fict 'that the firm hero can see the patients for I take a keen interest in this-question, and am very anxious to. get.a.firm out.hero which can do the work thoroughly satisfactorily. Sample limbs of tho best, quality have been supplied to a firm in Auckland—Wisemali and Co.—and • they are confident they can make limbs similar to the pattern supplied. If they can do so, and I certainly' think tlicy';,can, althoughthe .finish may not ..be quite so good as those'made at Home, it.will bo a goodthing. And',' as • I say, the fact that, the men can go'\ tq the manufacturers arid get properly' fitted is a very great point—more than making up' for lack of finish. In the . meantime, I do-not think it would .be worth while sending men. Home from New Zealand if theycan be fitted here.' If, however, I find that-the limbs made; in New Zealand are not'good enough, I will .recommend the Government to send tho men to England to be attended to there. The Government has agreed to give those men' needing them, two setsl Unless the men'get properly fitted here I. will not pass them, andU have so informed the manufacturers. The firm I have referred to is quite 'willing .'to take the risk.' Of course, they will not bo able to' make. anything like the Carno arm-. We will have to send men Home to be fitted with these': arms... If you forward measurements to the manufacturers for artificial limbs, the result is .usually very satisfactory,'' The New Zealand firm I have referred .to is well known, employs skilled mechanics, and has' already done such work satis-, factorily for Auckland ■' medical men who have...been consulted .by .the . Dei .

It may be explained that the Came arm is an 'American patent, and very wonderful results have been' obtained! Five men were sent to England by the Maheno on her latest return, voyage in order thai; they may he supplied with Carne arms at Home.