ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 88, 14 April 1927, Page 10

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS.

SPECIFICATION CRITICISED.

"AN ATROCIOUS AFFAIR."

INVESTIGATION URGED. s

A I're-- Association telegram this

week Mated that a deputation from the Duncdin Returned Soldiers' Association had waited on the Hon. J. C. Holiest on. Minister of Defence, voicing di>--at i-raetton regarding Gie quality of the artificial limits supplied to amputees. In hi- i-.'ply the Minister said he would !ic glad if the members of the deputation would go through the specifications f<>r the new supply of limhs with an officer of the Department, and point out in what particular they were at fault. Mr. A. L. Nugent, manager of an Auckland company for the supply of artilii-iil limbs, was seen by a representative of the "Star" and asked his opinion upon the new limbs specified. "it would not be a very difficult matter." said Mr. Nngent. "to find fault with the limb as specified. It is an atrocious affair of the patchwork order, designed in certain respect =. without any regard to ordinary mcchanic-tl stress and strain. Such a limb cannot have hail any practical test, or it wmtl I never have been decided upon. It is that the Department should fix upon such a limb for standardisation." "i consider that the Minister would show wisdom if he withdrew the tenders, and set up a commission to inquire: fll The reason for dissatisfaction nowevident amongst amputees; and (21 the best types of limbs now available; and to device a method of future provision. The personnel of the War Pension- Hoard, with the addition of a technical engineer, could be utilised as a commission. Evidence could be taken in :ill the four centres, after which the • miinii-.-inii could report to the Covoriluellt. "For one thing T do not consider the '■■ ;li would be of sufficient strength. Ihe -pecitieations show a ball and -ocket at the ankle, but sufficient detail- are not furnished as to how it \s required the joint should be made. Judged from the drawing supplied, it would appear that the ball and socket would not be of sufficient strength to withstand the strain to which it mn.-t be subjected. I feel sure that the strain of walking would spread out the metal enclosing the ball, according to the pic- ♦ ure marked 'limb CV There are also some minor alterations where the artificial limb joins the leg, which, without lieing an advantage, are in some respects an actual detriment." "My contention is that the limb a« specified i< not the he<=t type to supplv to c\-Mili<ler*. and that is why I think it would 1h- wi-e for the tender- to be withdrawn, and an inquiry made bv an independent body to fix upon the most suitable type of limb for amputees."