Improved Artificial Leg

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There is the iamous Anglesey leg, the redoubted Palmer leg, and the Yerger leg,—but that is not to say that no improvement can yet be made; we are certain that a good improvement has just! been made in artificial legs by David B. Marks, of New York City, who has taken measures to secure a patent tor it. This artificial leg is intended to perform ali the movements of the natural leg in walking, in taking a step, the foot is brought Hat to the ground, with the perfect rigidity of the knee-joint, which is maintained until the ankle is bent by bringing the body forward, as the opposite leg takes the next step. This bending of the ankle leaves the knee free to make the slight bend whichis necessary to raise the heel from the ground, and when the knee is; thus bent, the ankle becomes stiff, with the I toe slightly raised to prevent its dragging during the early portion of the movement of the leg in taking the succeeding step, and it remains stiff until it is necessary for the straightening ot the knee and the depression of the toe to bring the foot flat to the ground, both of which latter movements are effected simultaneously. The improvement relates to the means or devices by which the movements of the knee and ankle-joints are controlled, and the necessary rigidity maintained during the cessation of these movements.

Scientific American Magazine Vol 8 Issue 46This article was published with the title “Improved Artificial Leg” in Scientific American Magazine Vol. 8 No. 46 (), p. 364
doi:10.1038/scientificamerican07301853-364

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