observation, that in most cases an artificial leg should not be
fitted within three months after amputation, and that if the edges of the wound have thoroughly united at the end of that time it is unnecessary to wait longer, except to harden and reduce the stump by bandaging, if this has not previously been done. There are many good reasons why a leg should be applied as soon as practicable after this time (provided that the stump has healed), the chief one being that there is nothing that will discipline and strengthen a stump and remaining joints as quickly and as effectually as the use of a properly fitted artificial leg.
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Material of Construction
The materials used in the construction of artificial limbs are, principally, tough English willow, leather, metal and rubber. The wood parts, when worked to the desired shape, are covered with parchment or rawhide and finished with a flesh-tinted waterproof enamel.
Artificial Legs for Children
When children have been deprived, by accident or disease, of one or both lower limbs, artificial legs should be applied as soon as the condition of the stump will safely permit. It is too generally presumed that an outgrown limb is of no further use, and that the purchase of an artificial leg before full growth is assured means a foolish expenditure.
This is wrong, at least so far as our work is concerned; there are artificial legs made that it would be very expensive to lengthen or change, but any leg that is made by us, or under our name or supervision, we will agree to lengthen at any future time, as necessity may arise, at a cost not to exceed
