COST OF MAN-MENDING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 639, 31 January 1914, Page 6

COST OF MAN-MENDING.

TO ONE PAIR OF LfcGS AND FEET: £2O. "What man would remain incomplete," eaid a Burgical mechanician to a writer,' "when he can be equipped with a hand almost as serviceable as that he has lost for a five-pound note, and when an eye, a perfect match and as natural as Mfe, can be supplied for a guinea? "Few people," the mechanical worker of magic went on. "have any idea tj what a marvellous pitch of perfection the making of artificial limbs and organs has now been brought, or how cheaply they can be produced. It will surprise you, for instance, to learn that a man may lose four-fifths of his body, and be made piactically 'as good as new' for less money than would buy a cheap second-hand motor-car —that is to say, for £IOO or so. "You may lose both legs and arms, and yet £4O will replace all four limbs; and each of them will be almost as useful as the one it replaces. Only within the last few weeks I have supplied a pair of legs to each of to customer, and they are now talking abost to all appearances as sound as ever. "But let us take the various parts of the body one by one. Suppose a man has ioßt his right hand, he need by no means despair, for I can supply an artificial substitute which will answer practically all the purposes of the limb he has lost. He will be able to write, paint, drive, play billiards, eat his meals, and perform his toilet with it without the least inconvenience. Each joint is almost as flexible as in the original hand; and in its palm is a square hole into which heavy articles that he may want to ÜBe can be fixed. Sets of useful appliances are made for the purpose, and the entire set, hand and all, only costs £5. EXTENSIVE MISTAKES. "For a pair of legs and feet the cost ranges from £2O to £3O. They are made of willow wood, which is exceedingly light; and they have ankle, foot, and knee action, produced by springs and tendons of twisted catgut, just like human limbs. "The making of these artificial limbs seems very simple; but I need not assure you that it requries considerable skill. ,A few gouges, knives and chisels are all the toolß used, and the whole of the shaving is done by the eye; but if the slightest mistake is made all my time and an expensive block of wood are wasted. "With such a leg a man can cycle, play golf, or engage in any game that is not too strenuous; and it is so little noticeable that some of my customers have worn them for years without their acquaintances having a suspicion that their legs were not natural.

"For eyes, specially painted and matched, you may pay anything from £2 to £5 a pair. They are made of dense glass, and are most skilfuly painted by clever artists bo as to be almost indistinguishable from the natural organs. Slipped into the socket, the artificial eye soon fits so perfectly that its owner is quite unconscious of its presence; and in many cases it moves in perfect harmony with its fellow, thus making the illusion perfect. "Artificial ears, noses, and windpipes, ear-drums, and palate can be as readily and effectively supplied as a false wig; and a complete equipment, from wig to artificial foot, can be bought for a price ranging from £9O to £l5O. "No, I have never heard of anyone who has the set complete; but I know one man, who was terribly injured in a railway accident some years ago, who has a pair of artificial legs and arms, and, in addition, an artificial leg, eye and ear. Not very long ago this man would have been an almost helpless wreck; to-day he moves about scarcely distinguishable from his more fortunate fellows"