LIMBS FOR SOLDIERS.

Press, Volume LII, Issue 15768, 8 December 1916, Page 8

LIMBS FOR SOLDIERS.

CONTRACTS TO AMERICAN FIRMS. Should artificial limbs for British soldiers be made by British firms? The limited number of manufacturers in London hare a grievance. They complain that the, contracts for the supply of artificial limbs liavo been given to American firms. They also complain that whereas English starred men are engaged in carrying out American contracts, their own workmen have been refused exemption. Speaking to a Pressman, the director of one of the principal artificial limb manufacturing firms in, England-said:— "At the exhibition the gold medal "was awarded to Americans for limbs on practically the same model that wo have been manufacturing for 'the lasL seven years. The only difference was that the cost was something like 200 per cent, above our. price. We have a limb that can bo pulled to pieces and readjusted in five minutes. It is a complete contrivanco that can bo used by any soldier who has lost a limb from his hip. It represents a perfectly natural motion, and will last ten or fifteen years, while toien are able to walk out of the works five minutes after they have been fiited." An illustration of the working of tlie limb was given. From the hip to the. too it is representatives of the most symmetrical movement that could be produced artificially. ?7o socks are required, the foot is laced up like a football over the indiarubber substitute, and any size can be accommodated from block patterns. Yet. according to the protest of the manufacturers, these home-made limbs are not being supplied. Portions are imr>orted, and the tops, for which English makers have sub-contracts, are put together in England.