ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

Evening Post, Volume XCI, Issue 107, 6 May 1916, Page 5

ARTIFICIAL LIMBS

WHAT IS BEING DONE FOR THE

WOUNDED,

In reply to enquiries made by a Post reporter to-day as to what method is being adopted in supplying artificial limbs to wounded New Zealand soldiers requiring them, the Chief Health Officer, Dr. Valintiue, stated : —"The position is this : New Zealand soldiers who are wounded in Egypt or in any other part of the theatre of war, and whose injuries necessitate the amputation of an arm or leg, will be sent to England, where they will be supplied with artificial limbs of the very best kind. It is a great advantage to firms manufacturing artificial limbs to be able to see the patients themselves, and the sufferers who have not the opportunity of going to England are certainly handicapped. It is for that very reason that it was essential to have some firm here which could make suitable limbs; and though these limbs may not be, quite up to the quality of the limbs which can be got at Home, that would be compensated for by the fact that the firm here can see the patients for themselves. I take a keen interest in this question, and am very anxious to get a firm out here which can do the work thoroughly satisfactorily. Sample limbs of the best quality have been supplied to a firm in Auckland—Wiseman and Co. — and they are confident they can make limbs similar to the pattern supplied. If they can do so, and I certainly think they can, although the finish may not be quite so' good as those made at Home, it will be a good thing. And, as I say, the fact that the men can go to the manufacturers and get properly fitted is a very great point—more than making up for lack of finish. In the meantime, I do not think it would be worth while sending men Home from New Zealand if they can be fitted here. If, however, I find that the limbs made in New Zealand are not good enough, I will recommend tho Government to send the men to England to be attended to there. The Government has agreed to give those men needing them two sets. Unless the men get properly fitted here I will not pass them, and I have so informed the manufacturers. The firm-1 have referred to is quite willing to take the risk. Of course, they will not be able to make anything like the Came arm. We will have to send men Home to be fitted with these arms. If you forward measurements to the manufacturers for artificial limbs, the result is usually very unsatisfactory. . The New Zealand firm I have referred to is weir known, employs skilled mechanics, and has already done such work satisfactorily for Auckland medical -men, who have been consulted by the Department."

It may be explained that the Carne arm is an American patent, and very wonderful results have been obtained. Five men were sent to England by the Maheno on her latest return voyage in order that they may be supplied with Carne arms at Home.