Jointed With Diamonds,

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 8 May 1914, Page 2

Jointed With Diamonds,

With a view to substituting ma chanical joints in human bones, which through disease or paralyaifi have been rendered stiff and useless. Dr. Milton Francis Clark has been conducting some remarkable experiments in San Francisco. He has performed what he is certain will be a successful operation on a dog. The animal had its leg bones smashed, and Dr. Clark removed tbJb injured joint. Then, without moving the tendons, nerves, reins, and arteries, he inserted a silver joint which was riveted to the end of the bones. The doctor used diamonds as a pivot for the socket joint as being the hardest known substance, and was thus able to meet, the objection as to wear and tear, which in the case of other substances might necessitate frequent operations for removal. Diamonds, says Dr. Clark, will last for a longer period than the possible life of any patient. The dog is said to be able to move its leg comfortably, and Dr. Clark is convinced that it will be able to walk again in a natural manner. X-:ay photographs of every stage in the progress ofithe case are being taken, and the doctor is satisfied, says the "Chronicle," that he has ' solved a problem in anatomy which has baffled the best surgeons of the world. His system, he hopes, will supersede the method of grafting live bone and tissue.