NEW LIMBS FOR THE OLD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 65, 13 October 1916, Page 7

NEW LIMBS FOR THE OLD.

(From Captain Malcolm Ross, Official Correspondent.)

One of the most wonderful things in connection with the war is the way a man can have his physical deficiencies and deformities patched up by science and mechanism. Roehampton, with its many men minus an arm, a leg, a hand, or a foot is rather a sad sight these days, but there is also a bright side to the picture, and New Zealanders 1 am glad to say ary receiving attention equally with the British brethren in the Homeland. 'Some months ago artificial limbs were provided by the ladies of the War Contingent Association, but no expert advice was given as to the class of limb that should be fitted in particular cases. We have now taken one of our own medical officers and posted him at the Roehampton Hospital, He deals solely with the- matter of artificial limbs. He has studied the latest methods and can give the best advice. When a New Zealander is ready to have an artificial limb fitted he is sent to Roehampton, and under the supervision of this officer is fitted with the class of limb that will best suit his case, and the avocation he will in the future pursue. There are so many different kinds of limbs on the market now that it is necessary for a man to get expert advice. The limb that is required for a labourer will not do for a clerk. Great care is taken in fitting the limbs. A man is not allowed to go away until he is properly fitted, until he lias learnt to use tho limb, and until the stump is properly shrunk. Then lie is measured for a second limb. We give our men duplicates in every case, so that we go one better than the British Government in this respect. If a man has to return to New Zealand before' his second limb is ready it is sent, after him there, and we give our men the best limbs available irrespective of price. There are two popular (inns in regard to the manufacture of artificial limbs—one in America with a maximum price of about £4O, and a French firm that makes a hand and arm at from £2O to £25, according as it is for fitting below or above the elbow. A demonstration was given the other day by one of our men with a French arm. He put a tsud in his shirt, put on bis collar and tie, picked up a pin from a table, wrote his name, carried a bag, and shook hands, all with his artificial hand. It is really njnrvcllous that such things should bo possible of accomplishment by mechanical means guided by the remaining muscles in the stump of an arm! A man with one leg seems to walk as well as he did before the leg was amputated Men are now daily to be seen walking -about Roehampton though both legs have been amputated! The general complaint about legs is that they are too heavy, and an attempt is now being made to fit our men with a light serviceable leg at a cost of about £25. There are all sorts of patents in connection with artificial limbs, and the manufacturers must bo making eonnous sums out of the supply of limbs for men who have been in the war. It seems a pity that something cannot be done to combine these patents so that artificial legs, arms, hands, and , feet could be made at a more reasonable cost. The industry was developed greatly in America, because the demand was far greater there than in a country like England, and where also a suitable wood for the manufacture is grown—a particular kind of ash. In England they have now imported both the material and the workmen, and some of our wounded soldiers are being trained in the manufacture of artificial limbs. There are now five English and two American firms making limbs at Roehampton, and the workshops are very complete. I