Orthopraxy : the mechanical treatment of deformities, debilities, and deficiencies of the human frame / by Henry Heather Bigg.

  • Bigg, Henry Heather, 1826-1881.
Date:
1877
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Orthopraxy : the mechanical treatment of deformities, debilities, and deficiencies of the human frame / by Henry Heather Bigg. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    all times be tlie chief metliod of relief. No question in surgery demands greater tliought tlian the construction of trusses; and no instruments exact more from the skill and ingenuity of the mechanician. The fabrication and adaptation of artificial limbs are questions which hitherto have been left for solution almost entirely to the mechanist. The late Mr Bishop pointed out that an ill-constructed artificial leg, such as the common wooden leg, is not. only a great evil to the wearer by de- priving him of the power of quick walking, but also a source of spinal distortion. He insisted, therefore, that surgeons should be familiar with these consequences, more especially as it is too much the custom at our hos- pitals, as well as in private practice, for them to consider their duty at an end when they have amputated the limb, healed the stump, and directed the patient to an instrument maker. On the contrary,^^ he added, a very important duty still remains to be performed, namely, that of pro- moting the future welfare of the patient by prescribing a proper substitute for the natural limb; and the immense funds subscribed for the support of most of our hospitals might surely afford some allowance to be appropriated for the purpose of supplying poor patients with such improved wooden legs as would enable them to perform all the ordinary occupations of life without difficulty or distortion. This is a subject that army and navy surgeons, more par- ticularly, would do well to take into consideration; since, with the assistance of such a wooden leg, soldiers and sailors might be enabled to discharge most of the common duties of the service, instead of being dependent, as they now are, from the moment they are deprived of a natural leg.* The late Mr Teale, of Leeds, suggested an impor- tant modification in the manner of performing amputation, having direct reference to the adaptation of artificial limbs. He recommended a long and short rectangular flap; and commenting upon the methods of operating usually • • Researches into the Pathology and Treatment of Deformities iu the Hu man Body.' London. 1852. Page 79.
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