A NEW ZEALAND INVENTOR

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 278, 18 August 1921, Page 4

A NEW ZEALAND INVENTOR

THE M'KAY PATENT ARM NOW EMPLOYING BIG STAFF IN LONDON About three years ago Mr. Peter Murray M’Kay, of Rockville, Collingwood, Nelson, came io Wellington with a rather wonderful patent artificial arm, which was so light and adaptable that its wearer could do almost everything anyone normally equipped could do. A small company was formed in Wellington for the purpose of assisting Mr. M’Kay to England; which, company subsequently sold out its interests to Mr. M’Kay. One of the former shareholders recently called upon Mr. M’Kay at Blackfriars Road, London, and was shown over his works, and writes concerning the visit that Mr. M Kay has made wonderful progress. He was at that time, June 8, 1921, employing 129 men, most of whom were minus one or more limbs. Fifty men were being sent to him by the British Government to train, and he had guaranteed that they would be able to earn 12s. 6d. per day nt tho end of six mouths. He graphically described his early struggles. An English company, who subsequently financed him, refused assistance until he had invented an arm for above the elbow mutilations. In those days it was difficult to get supplies. Three weeks ami countless letters and forms were necessary to obtain two small screws, and at one time he had got down to his last £lO. Now ho has two buildings in Blackfriars Road. He has installed machinery, electrically driven, and his own bath in which he nickel-plates all his artificial arm parts. This bath, by the way, is the third which he has had constructed, each being four times larger than its predecessor. In conversation he told of a man who had lost a leg, an arm, and an eye, who had been walking the streets of London for six months looking for work. Mr. M’Kay nut him on at onco at 10s. a day, making bolts, and at the end of tho first week, using M’Kay artificial limbs, he had turned out *l2O more bolts than a whole man who had been doing the work for six months. Besides the forearm which he had made in New Zealand, 'he has invented an arm for mutilations just about the elbow, one for mutilations close to the shoulder, and one for cases where there is no stump at all. In tho last-mention-ed cases a thin, durable socket shoulder is made, lined with chamois leather, which holds the artificial limb. He has also invented a short forearm to get more leverage for heavy work. One of his working hands is made of wood, in which is imbedded what he calls a split hook, by which ho can pick up small articles, such as nails or jiins. His men use this split hook for holding nails or punching holes, etc., while doing their work. Another adjustment which can easily be kept in his waistcoat pocket enables him to use any table implement—knife, fork, or spoon, with no more trouble than the turning of a small screw. He has also made devices for holding, golf clubs and cricket bats. Ono of his men demonstrated the efficiency of the same. His work involves the taking of plaster' casts. The girl who is doing this is a ono-armed girl, fitted with a M’Kay arm. In making tho artificial limb any tender spot on the human stump is (carefully marked, and is padded with leather. When the cast is finally made, a small vacuum is left to prevent friction. An arm he showed was in connection with a case where both mother and daughter tost .their .left; arms in a motor accident in India. The daughter is fitted and the mother is getting her arm from him. Among cases ho is called upon io deal with are many of people who have been deformed since birth. In connection with his work it was stated Hiat he is the only outsider admitted io every meeting of the British Medical Association. There was a show of his inventions at Olympia, and the King and Queen were photographed inspecting his standlie had had a long interview with the King, who was most interested in ’his work. He was also about to Ivisit Cardiff, where all tho limbless men in the district were to be assembled, and the Prince of Wales was to bo present. A film has also been made, and. was shown at Olympia, and was to bo shown in London. One of his men stated to the visitor that it seemed a hard thing to say, but it was a good day for them when M’Kay* lost his arm. He 'has orders from Rhodesia, Africa, and India. There arc M’Kay agents in Dublin, Cardiff, and Birmingham, who havo their own M’Kay spdrt and athletic clubs. His mou are a happy family, and strikes art not thought of.