ARTIFICIAL LIMBS FOR EX-SERVICE MEN.
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
his letter to you, and in many similar letters which have appeared in other papers, Captain Baird hardly does justice to the War Office and Ministry of Pensions, or to the American limb-makers. In 1915, when there were many amputees ready for artificial limbs and many more to be expected, the British limb-makers were quite unable to undertake an adequate supply. A very grave situation would have been produced if two makers of American legs had not stepped into the breach. Of these, one was an English Limited Company which paid, like other concerns, Excess Profits and other taxes to which British manufacturers were liable. The other, although its management was in the United States, employed a large number of British workmen, and many of the men employed by there two firms arc themselves wearers of artificial limbs.
As regards the quality of the limbs supplied, it is to be noted that at an exhibition held at Roehampton in 1915 an American limb took the first prize, which was awarded by a Board of experienced orthopaedic surgeons. At that time the duralumin limb was only just coming into notice ; only very small numbers were available, and the price was prohibi- tive. In these circumstances the action of the War Office at that time, and of the Ministry of Pensions afterwards, in supplying the American limbs in addition to those of English makers was inevitable and does not deserve the censure which Captain Baird suggests. The modified duralumin limbs which, owing to ,arrangements made by the Ministry, ire now available at a reasonable price, as well as other light metal limbs, have distinct advantages over the wooden ones, whether of English or American design. Nevertheless, there are many hundreds of disabled mew who find the latter quite satisfactory and sufficient for their purposes, and by no means obsolete.—I am, Sir, &c.,
E. MUIRHEAD LITTLE. 40 Seymour Street, Marble Arch, W.
[We cannot continue this correspondence.—En. Spectator.]
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