Artificial legs, having fewer requirements to perform than artificial arms, are comparatively simple in structure. We borrOw the description of the ordinary bucket-leg in common use among the poorer classes from Mr. Bigg's Orthopraxy. "It consists of a hollow sheath or bucket, accu rately conformed to the shape of the stump, and having—in lieu of the more syinmetric tions of the artificial leg—a 'pin,' placed at its lower end to insure connection between it and the ground. This form of leg is strongly to be recom mended when expense is considered. as it really fulfills all the eonditionsexceptingexternalsimili tude embraced by a better piece of mechanism. It is likewise occasionally employed with benefit by those patients who, from lack of confidence, prefer learning the use of an artifieial leg by first practicing with the commonest substitute"—as, when the body rests on a single leg, the centre of gravity passes through the tuberosity of the ischium, it is essential that the bucket should be so made as to have its sole point of bearing against this part of the pelvis. Artificial legs are so made in America, provided with rubber feet, that the wearer can dance, skate, ride a bicycle, ride a horse, walk in pedestrian con tests. climb ladders, and live the usual life of an active laborer or mechanic. There are many
of men in the service of railroads as con ductors, brakemen, switchmen, etc., who wear an artificial leg, and are able completely to perform their duties. In eases of arrested development of the lower limbs, short-legged persons may be made of the ordinary height by the use of arti ficial feet placed below the true feet, and at tached to the legs by means of metallic rods, jointed at the knee and ankle, or by long-topped shoes.
Other parts, not entitled to be called limbs, can also be replaced by mechanical art—such as the nose, lips, ears, palate, cheek, and eye. In the present advanced state of plastic surgery, de ficiencies of the nose, lips, and palate can usu ally he remedied by an operation: eases, how ever. may occur where an artificial organ is re quired. Artificial ears are molded of silver or of wax, painted the natural color. and fixed in place by a spring over the vertex of the head. Loss of an eye causes sad disfigurement: but artificial eyes are made which are adapted to fit almost any socket left after enucleation, and which can not be detected without the closest inspection. The color of the iris of the remaining eye is per fectly copied, and blood-vessels traversing visible portions are imitated exactly.