Artificial left leg, London, England, 1861-1920

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Credit: Artificial left leg, London, England, 1861-1920. Science Museum, London. Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

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Description

Someone who had their left leg amputated on the knee joint used this artificial leg. The leather corset secures the prosthesis to the thigh. It is perforated so the wearer will not get too hot. Inside the calf is a v-shaped metal bar attached to a spring. This prevents the wearer falling forward yet allows them to walk with comfort. The ankle and knee joints are lockable. The toes are made of flexible leather. William Robert Grossmith’s company made this limb. He also wrote ‘Amputations and Prosthetic Limbs’ in 1857.

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