GEORGE R. FULLER COMPANY,
Rochester, N. Y.
Patents have been granted us as follows:
| April 19, 1859 | No. | 23,656 | ||
| April 30, 1859 | No. | 25,238 | ||
| February 19, 1861 | No. | 31,438 | ||
| July 20, 1862 | No. | 38,549 | ||
| May 19, 1863 | No. | 38,550 | ||
| July 28, 1857 | Re-issued July 7, 1863 | No. | 1,510 | |
| May 17, 1859 | } | Re-issued July 12, 1864 | No. | 1,724 |
| July 3, 1860 | } | |||
| Dec. 23, 1862 | } | |||
| October 11, 1864 | No. | 44,638 | ||
| September 4, 1866 | No. | 57,666 | ||
| March 9, 1869 | No. | 87,624 | ||
| April 19, 1887 | No. | 361,405 | ||
| October 4, 1887 | No. | 370,774 |
Amputations
It is probable that such a publication as this will be read only by those who have lost limbs or by their immediate friends. To advance an opinion here as to the length of stump or the kind of operation best adapted to the subsequent application of an artificial limb would be of little benefit, and might, indeed, suggest dissatisfaction to the sufferer and cause injury to the operator. The preservation of life is the object of amputations. Surgeons generally appreciate the importance of the operation and their own responsibility. They undertake it with reluctance. Often during such an operation exigencies arise or unforeseen conditions so present themselves as to preclude any observance of suggestions relating to the selection of a point for amputation and preparation of the stump for the exercise of the restorative art of prosthesis. Then the surgeon has no choice if he would save life. It is better not to criticise the operation and malign the operator, but to believe the best results possible under the circumstances have been attained and be thankful that the outcome is no worse.
Treatment of the Stump
In preparation for the application of an artificial leg, and as soon as it is healed sufficiently to permit it without pain or irritation, the stump should be kept tightly bandaged from the end up to the knee, if the amputation be below, or up to the body if the amputation be above the knee. The bandaging will diminish and solidify the stump, leaving it in a much more desirable condition for fitting and rendering the successful use of a leg more a matter of certainty. If neglected, the chances are that a soft, flabby stump will be the result, which will rapidly reduce after the patient begins the use of a leg, but a refitting or an uncomfortable amount of filling up in the socket to compensate for the shrinkage of the stump will be necessary in order to walk with the least degree of ease or satisfaction. The remaining joints, particularly the knee joint, should be kept in motion as much as can be conveniently, every day; this will prevent their becoming anchylosed (stiff and inflexible). Should this warning come too late, and the joint is already anchylosed, it should be gently and gradually exercised, and oily, relaxing applications applied until straightened and flexible. A free daily use of the cold water bath and brisk rubbing will prove beneficial. An application of a solution of tannin and alcohol will toughen the skin, and in many cases it would be an excellent thing to continue the use of this solution after an artificial leg has been applied.
How Soon After an Amputation
There is a diversity of opinion as to how early a substitute may be applied. Many surgeons strongly urge that an artificial leg cannot be safely fitted for several months after cicatrization occurs, while, on the other hand, some manufacturers of artificial limbs claim that a leg can be satisfactorily fitted just as soon as the stump has healed, no matter if it be but five or six weeks after the amputation.