*
■&&$&
 
 
A NEW AND IMPORTANT INVENTION,



              BTT




     DOUGLAS BLY, M. D. 
CONTENTS.
Description of Ball and Socket Jointed Artificial Leg,.....................   3
Premium over the Palmer Leg,.........................................   6
Letters from Surgeons,......,.........................................   7
Letters from persons wearing the Leg,................<................   9
Palmer's Leg remodelled and improved..........................13, 16 and 19
Double Amputations,............................................15 and 17
An Artificial Leg in the Army,................  .......................  23
A remarkable case of Double Amputation,...............................  24
Endorsed by the New York Academy of Medicine, also by the Ohio Slate Med-
    ical Societyj......»..............................................  25
A New Leg without Lateral Motion for persons of  limited means............26
Points of Election and Kind of Operation for Amputations of lower  extremi
    ties—from the Transactions of the N. Y. State Medical Society,.........  27
Special instructions to those wanting limbs—how to proceed, <fec,  ..........  30
Location of Offices and  Manufactories,.................................. 30
Address,............................................................ SO 
A NEW  AND IMPORTANT INVENTION,
DOUGLAS BLY,  M. D.
     BY FREQUENT DISSECTIONS,

            DR. BLY HAS 8U0CKEDED IN EMBODYING

THE PRINCIPLES OF THE NATURAL LEG

          IN AN ARTIFICIAL ONE,

                 AND IN GIVING IT

  LATERAL, OR SIDE MOTION AT THE ANKLE,

       THE SAME AS THE NATURAL ONE.

             BY SO DOING, HE HAS PRODUCED

THE  MOST COMPLETE AND SUCCESSFUL  INVENTION

           EVER ATTAINED  IN ARTIFICIAL LEGS.
       -** ROCHESTER:
PRESS OF CURTIS, BDTTS * CO., UNION AND ADVERTISER OFFICE.
               1862. 
\aIE
4448 
                         DESCRIPTION.
   Fig. 1 is a section of Dr. Bly's Ball and Socket Jointed Artificial Leg.
 ^  U\e ankle joint is formed by a ball  (Z?) of polished  ivory, which  is a
 joint that ad/nits of every motion that the natural ankle docs, without an
 EXCEPTION.
   The cords (C) assume the  position and functions  of the natural tendons.
 Only three are shown in full,  but the ends of all are seen in Fig. 3.
   S is three of the five rubber springs, which take  the place of the muscles
 of the natural leg.   (See description, pp. 3 and 4.)
   iV is the nuts, by which the tension of the cords and springs are rcgu-
 tcted  to suit the wearer.
   E is the spring which operates the knee joint.
   Fig. 2 is a posterior view of the  leg  and  thigh ; the thigh in section-
 showing the knee cords (K)  which take the place of the crucial ligaments of
 the  natural knee.   (See p. 5.)
   Fig. 4 shows the curved joints (X) on either side of the  knee, as  con-
 structed by Dr.  Bly, for  amputations  bdow  the knee.  The curve corres-
 ponds with the natural knee,  and allows  the pants to set smoothly.
   And, Fig  5  shows the joints ( Y) for the same purpose, as construct-
 ed by all other makers.  (See description,  p. 5.)
  • Dr. Bly, being the  inventor and patentee, has the exclusive right to
 manufacture, each and all tke within  described improvements.
   Fig. 6.   The right leg of  this figure  shows  one  of  Dr. Bly's Artificial
 Legs, worn by a mechanic, and  flexed laterally  at the ankle joiut, the same
 as a natural leg.  It assumes every  other position of the natural  leg with
 equal facility.  (See p. 4.)
   Fig. 8, represents the ankle joint flexed diagonally,  as is often the  case
 when  one side of the foot happened  to be placed on a small stone, or other
 obstacle.
   Fig. 9, shows the action of the ankle joint when walking on the  side  of a
 hill, or on an inclined  plain,  the foot accommodating itself to the surface,
 like the natural foot.
   The joints in this leg are made without iron or any kind of metal, there-
 fore the leg is extremely light  ; much lighter than any other.   The lia-
 bility of metallic joints to rattle and make a noise, after the leg has been
 worn a short  time, is  well known, and  the annoyance  which it causes the
 wearer at every step is also well known.  Now,  as there is no metal about
 the joints in this  leg, there is no noise.   The ankle joint is  formed by a
 ball of polished ivory, plying in a,  soclcet of vulcanized  india rubber.  (See
 Fig. 3.)
   This joint accomplishes the great  object which the Artificial Leg makers
 have hitherto sought for in vain, viz. :  it admits of motion in all directions
 like the natural ankle joint, and thereby allows the artificial foot to ac-
commodate Itself to the varied inequalities of  the surface, the same as  the
natural foot.  (See  Figs. 8  and 9.)  This enables those who wear  it to
walk so well, that it is not even  suspected, much less detected.
   Furthermore, this is a joint  that requires no oil, a fact of no little im-
portance, as those will testify  who have worn  legs with metallic joints,  and
been obliged to carry'pocket  oil  cans.
   In the places corresponding to those occupied  by the muscles of the nat-
ural  leg are placed rubber springs, (see Fig. 1,) with catgut cords (see Figs.
i and 3,) of sufficient strength, extending downward in place of the natural 
4
tendons ;  and it is really interesting to see how well the action of the rub-
ber springs imitate those of the natural muscles.  These  rubber springs or
artificial muscles, together with the ball and socket joint, produce every
motion of the natural leg, without an exception.
  The springs  are  made of rail-road car spring  rubber, and used  by com-
pression,  therefore  it  is not possible to overtax or break them ; I repeat,
u is not possible to break them.  This will be appreciated by those who have
worn  legs with metallic  springs ; especially by those  who  have worn  the
Palmer leg.
  The power, ana action, of all the springs in this leg, are regulated simplj
by turning a nut, so that the wearer may adjust them to suit  his own pe-
culiar gait, with the greatest facility.
  Then, instead of the mechanical motions given a limb by metallic springs,
the rubber springs impart wsy, uniform motions to the limb, like those of the
natural muscles, which give it, when in  use, a remarkable life-like  ap-
pearance.
  In  walking, when the weight of the body rests  upon the ball of the foot,
the spring representing the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles is firmly com-
pressed, and when the  weight of the body is thrown forward  on to the
other foot, the spring rises  and carries the  foot forward  to its place, with
very little effort of the wearer.
  In  ordinary walking, with the toes turned outward,  the foot, like the na-
tural  one,  is flexed diagonally, or in the line of motion, which, makes a grace-
ful step.  Artificial legs made heretofore, roll the foot  to compensate for
this diagonal flexion,—hence the uneven gait so often seen.
  If the  foot is  turned out sidewise to brace the body, or to work at a
bench, as in many kinds of mechanical labor, the ankle joint flexes laterally
and the foot remains flat on the ground, and gives a firm base of support,
which is of great importance in all kinds of labor.  (See Fig.  6.)
  Furthermore, when walking, if one side of the foot happens to be placed
on a stone or elevation, or into a hole, the mobility of the ankle  joint allows
the foot to yield just enough to accommodate itself to the inequality, and there-
by prevent stumbling or falling, which necessarily takes place more or less
with all legs which do not admit of lateral  and diagonal motion at  the
ankle joint.  (See Figs. 8 and 9.)
  The knee-joint, for amputations above the knee, has  no side or lateral
motion, because  there is  none in the natural knee.  The joint  is con-
structed in such a manner that no bushing is ever required—consequently,
the annoyance and expense of sending the leg to the maker to have the
joints bushed every now and then to keep them tight, is entirely avoided.
The joint is so  arranged  that  the  wearer may tighten it  in a moment,
whenever he chooses.
  The knee-joint is operated by a spring, similar to those already described.
Its motions are limited and controlled by two cords which take  the place
of the crucial ligaments of the natural knee-joint;  consequently, there is
no unpleasant jar caused by any solid parts coming in contact.
  For amputations below the knee, no artificial knee is required, but there
is a jbinted steel  strap on each side of the knee, which supports the leather
lacer.  In the  construction of these straps, there is another nice little in-
vention, which, like the rest, takes nature for its guide. 
5
  By laying a femur (thigh bone) on paper and  drawing a line on each
side, I obtained the exact curve  of  the lower end of the bone.   Then I
gave the jointed extremities of the straps (X) the same curve, consequently
they work in harmony with the natural joint, and conform to the contour of
the knee, which allows the pants to remain smooth and handsome when sit-
ting with the knee flexed.  (See  Fig. 4.)
  The square or angular straps (Y) used by all other makers, (represented
in Fig. 5,)  make a very bad appearance when the wearer is sitting, and are
ugly, uncouth things, to say  the least.   They demonstrate what  I have
already  stated, namely, the necessity of  taking  nature for a guide in all
things  pertaining to Artificial Legs.
  Formerly the manufacture  of artificial legs has been left entirely  to com-
mon mechanics, and those who have undergone amputation, but who have
little or no knowledge of anatomy ; consequently, the  construction of arti-
ficial legs has been merely mechanical, and not anatomical.
  They have imitated some of the motions of the natural leg quite well, but
others not at all.  Indeed it could  hardly be expected that any one but an
anatomist should be able to model a leg so close to nature, as to imitate all
the varied  motions of the natural leg.
  To obtain an Artificial Leg,  with all the varied motions of the natural
one, I  nave devoted much time, and by frequent dissections,  have accomplish-
ed the object.  I saw that nature used no bolts or pins to bolt or fasten the
foot to the  leg,  but  that she  nicely rounded the bones at the joint, and
held them in place by means of ligaments, tendons  and  muscles.  Then,
taking nature for my  guide, I dispensed with all the hinges, pins, bolts, and
cumbrous metallic joints generally used in artificial legs, and simply rounded
and shaped the joint like the bones  of the natural  leg, and supplied the
place of the natural muscles by means of india rubber springs,  and  the ten-
dons by catgut cords of sufficient strength, and the leg was a complete  copy
of  nature.  Like  every thing which takes nature for its guide, it is very
simple, and not liable to get  out of order.
  In form the limb is always made to correspond exactly with the natural
one, then it is covered  with a delicate  skin,  which is enameled with the
most delicate tinted  flesh-colored  enamel, shaded  to suit each .particular
case ;  and the  whole  is so natural in  appearance, and so life-like in all its
motions, that it is often mistaken for a natural limb.
  It is adapted to all amputations, either above or below the knee.
   Since it is found  that this leg meets with such  success, some of the
makers of other legs advertise that their patents do not prevent them
from using any kind  of spring or material they choose. They would like
to have  people think that they could make a leg  like mine.  But  do not
be  hoodwinked: their patents do not prevent them, but  mine does.   So
let it  be remembered that  each and  every  device herein  described,  is
patented to me  in the United  States,  England  and France;  and  that
whoever manufactures one of  them within these  countries, does it at his
• peril;  also, that  whoever uses one, incurs the same risk,  unless  he  pur-
chases it of me.
                                  DOUGLAS BLY, M. D.,
                                            Anatomist and Surgeon. 
6
                          PREMIUM.
   New inventions  continue to mark  the  progress of American improve-
 ment.  In 1851, the Palmer Leg  took the premium at the World's Fair
 in LonHon, and now this Leg takes the premium from  the Palmer  Leg,
 and stands unrivalled.  See the following report of the New York State
 Fair, October, 1858 :

 "  DR. D. BLY,  Rochester.
   "Artificial  Leg.   8^*  Award,  Diploma and Large Medal.
   " This ' Artificial Leg,' presented to your Committee for inspection, wa?
 brought in direct competition with ' Palmer's Artificial Leg/ before noticed
 in this Report ; we were, therefore, necessarily required to decide relative
 to their comparative merits—and, after a full investigation of their mechani-
 cal construction, materials used, and the adaptation to the accomplishment
 of the object of their creation, found no difficulty in arriving at a conclusion
 satisfactory to ourselves ;  and which, we are confident, will be adopted  or
 approved by our unfortunate fellow-citizens who are compelled to supply the
 want of natural by Artificial Legs.  We are unanimous in the opinion that
 the Leg presented by Dr. Bly is the best,  and  that it possesses advantages
 over the  'Palmer Leg' very desirable to the  user, and  creditable to its
 maker.  These are :—1st. Its weight is less.   2d.  No metallic  springs are
 used in its construction, demanding frequent repairs.   3d.  But one metallic
 bolt (that at the knee joint) is used.    4th. The ankle joint is so construct-
 ed as  to  admit of a lateral,  rotary,  or side  motion of the foot (in exact
 imitation of that in  the  natural ankle),  thereby enabling the wearer  to
 walk upon uneven surfaces, or  step  upon small stones, or other light ob-
 structions, with less liability to  stumble or fall—lighten the tax upon his
 caution as to where and how he steps to secure safety, and, in an equal ratio,
 diminish the physical effort necessary to its use.
   " This Leg combines the desirable qualities found in Palmer's, with the
 improvements above  enumerated, and is  a nearer approach, in its  anatomical
structure#and motions, when in use, to its ' model,' the natural Leg.
   " We award the  First Prize to Dr.  Bly, for  his  improvements,  and the
evidence oi progress in the mechanic arts,  found in  the construction of his
 'Artificial Leg.'"

   I certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from the original Report
 made by Department No. 72, of the New York State Fair, held  at Syra-
 cuse, October, 1858.
                                       A. P. SIGOURNEY,
                                                Chairman of  Commitce.

   The first prize  was also awarded this Leg at the Ohio State Fair at
 Dayton,  Indiana State Fair  at  Indianapolis,   Missouri  State Fair at St.
 Louis, the United States Fair  at Cincinnati,  and  many other Fairs  and
 Institutes.   It has been awarded the  first prize every time it has been
 exhibited.  The prizes taken by the Palmer Leg were most all  taken be-
 fore this Leg was invented ; the remainder in  places where this Leg  was
 not exhibited. 
7
                        TAKE   NOTICE.

  Many surgeons who now recommend this Leg, formerly recommended
the Palmer Leg or others,  which are out of date since this invention, but
the makers still publish the old certificates,  renewing the dates ot some,
and leaving them off from  others altogether.   No comment is necessary.

              TESTIMONIALS OF  SURGEONS.

  "We, the undersigned, Physicians and Surgeons, residents of the city of Roches-
ter, take pleasure in stating that we are well acquainted with Dr. Douglas Bly, of
said city, and are familiar with his improvements of the Artificial  Leg.  That, in
our opinion, the Leg, as improved and manufactured by him, has a marked super-
iority and many advantages over all others  heretofore offered to the public.
  The ball and socket joint of the ankle is the great characteristic of his improved
Artificial Leg. which not only gives the foot an easy, graceful motion, quite natural
in appearance, but renders it flexible and adjustable to uneven  surfaces, desiderata
not heretofore  attained.  It  is  constructed without  metallic springs,  bolts or
joints, requires no oil, makes  no noise, and  is not liable to get out of repair.  It is
very strong and durable,«and  is  moreover, finished with great neatness and beauty.
The structure and motions of it,  so admirably supply those of the natural  leg, that
we have  no hesitation in  recommending it to the notice of those who have been
bo unfortunate as to lose a limb and require an artificial one.
  Rochester, May 14th, 1860.
                     W  W REID, M. D.,     E. W. ARMSTRONG, M. D.,
                     E. M.  MOORE,  M.  D.,    H. W. DEAN, M. D.,
                     T. F. BALL, M. D„      W. W. ELY, M. D.,
                     P G.  TOBEY,  M. D.,    WM. H. BRIGGS, M. D.
                        VALENTINE MOTT,  M. D.
                                               New York, Feb. 10, 1860.
  "When the Palmer leg was invented, I recommended it to all who needed anything
of the kind, because it was an improvement on the old Anglesea Leg.   And now I
have the pleasure  of informing them that Dr. Bly  has invented a leg  which is
a great  improvement on  the Palmer leg.  The advantages it possesses  over the
Palmer leg are:
  Fikst.  The ankle joint admits of motion  not  only  antero-posteriorly, but lat-
erally, which allows  the  wearer to walk on  any  grade, or on rough and uneven
surfaces, without inconvenience.
  Second.  The ankle joint is constructed without iron, steel, or metal of any kind;
in fact, little or no metal is used in the limb, which renders it very light.
  Third.  The joints, instead of being bushed with buckskin, which requires a re-
newal at the hands of the maker, when worn,  are adjustable, and under the control
of the wearer.
  Fourth.  The  springs are made of India rubber, and imitate more  closely  th
action of the muscles.
  Fifth.  The action of the springs  can be increased or diminished at the option
of the wearer, whereby each can adjust the motions of the leg to suit  his  own

pec  lar gai                               VALENTINE  MOTT, M. D.,
       Emeritus Prof,  of Surgery and Surgical Anatomy in the University of N. Y.

                         ALFRED C. POST, M. D.
                                               New York, Feb.  10,  1860.
  I concur in the  above  recommendation.
  X C                                      ALFRED C. POST, M. D.,
       Prof, of the Principles  and Operations of Surgery in the University of N. Y. 
                          JAMES R. WOOD, M. D.
                                           New York, 2d  mo., 15th, 1860'
  I have examined with care the ball and socket jointed  leg, invented by Dr. Bly,
and am satisfied that the mobility of the ankle joint, whereby  the foot  can  accom-
modate itself to grades and  inequalities of the ground, is a great  improvement
upon all artificial legs made, heretofore.
                             JAMES R. WOOD,  M. D., No. 2 Irving Place,
                                       Surgeon to Bellevue Hospital, New York.


                          A. B.  SHIPMAN, M. D.
                                        Syracuse, N.  Y., April 25th, 1860.
  I am familiar with Dr. Bl^s Ball  and Socket Jointed Artificial Leg, and must
say that it meets the wants of patients the best of any artificial leg  ever brought
before the public.   A flexible ankle joint that is susceptible of  every motion of the
natural one, is what has long been wanted.  This Dr. Ely's leg has, and it  is this
that marks its superiority over all others.
  A number of my patients are wearing the Palmer Leg, and their motions are stiff
and cramped or confined.  They seem to want a freedoinof motion, especially if on
uneven ground.  There are  also a number of  my patients  who are wearing Dr.
Ely's Leg, and their motions are  natural, free and  easy, so much so, that one of
them came into my office, and his gait was so natural that I  did not mistrust that
he was  my patient, or that he was wearing an artificial leg, until he showed it to me.
  With utility Dr. Blj^s Leg combines durability.  One of my patients, a large,
powerful man, who works in a saw-mill, where he rolls logs and carries lumber oyer
all sorts of rough places, has worn one of Dr. Bly's Legs for a year without its
giving  out or getting out of order in the least.
                                              A. B. SHIPMAN,  M. D.,
                             Late Prof, of Surgery in the Indiana Med. College.
                       .WILLARD PARKER, M. D.
  I have examined the  Artificial Leg of D. Bly, M. D., of Rochester, and have
formed a very favorable  opinion of its character.
                         WILLARD PARKER, M. D., 37 East 12th street,
        Prof, of the Principles and Practice of Surgery in the College of Physician*
                                               and Surgeons, New  York.
                        ALDEN  MARCH, M. D.
                                          Albany, N. Y., Feb. 22, 1860.
I. concur in  the above.
                                           ALDEN MARCH, M. D.,
                              Prof, of Surgery in the Albany Medical College.
                        CHARLES A. POPE, M. D.
                                               St. Louis, Aug. lfth, 1860.
Dr. D. Bly:
  Dear Sir:—Your artificial leg seems to me to possess evident advantages over
all others hitherto invented.  I doubt not that it will speedily become the favorite
substitute.  So far as I know, those who have worn it are abundantly pleased.
                     Yours, <fec,              CHAS.  A. POPE, M. D.,
  Prof, of the Principles and Practice of Surgery, in the St. Louis Medical College. 
9
TESTIMONY  OF   THOSE  "WEARING  THE  LEG.
                          MICHEAL RYAN.

_   „                                    Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 10, 1859,
Dr. Bly:                                          '       '   F     '
  Dear Sir—I send you a few lines for the benefit of those who are situated as I was
before I used your newly-invented Artificial Leg.  I had heard that you had invent-
ed a leg by dissecting; and, that by taking Nature for your guide, you had made a
leg which has all  the flexibility  and motions of the natural leg, which makes it
remarkably useful and life-like ; still I was afraid to write to you to make me one,
because I thought the story too good to be true.  And I should not have got one
had it not been for Dr. Carow, of Nashville.  He told me that he had seen it, and
that it was really modelled after the natural leg, and that it  is one of the  finest
things ever invented, and I had better get one.  I took his advice, and I am a  thou-
sand times obliged to him for his kindness.   Notwithstanding all that I have  heard
and read, my highest expectations are more than realized.  And  to all who have
any doubt after reading this, I say come and see my leg,  or go to Dr. Bly's establish-
ment, and see for yourselves, for in this case seeing is believing.
                            Respectfully yours,               Michael Ryan.
                                    Lawrenceburgh Indiana, Aug. 29,1859.
 Dr. Bly:
   Dear Sir—My leg operates very satisfactorily.  My friends are all pleased with
 its natural motion; in fact some have  told me  they could see no difference in the
 motion of my feet when walking.
   I can walk on boulder pavements with ease—your Ball and Socket Ankle-Joint
 allowing the foot to adjust itself to the unevenness of  surface very much like the
 natural one.
   The whole appearance is so good that but few notice that I have an artificial leg.
 In three weeks after leaving your establishment, I traveled about twelve hundred
 miles, and have been in company with people for half a day, in hotels, cars and
 Btages,  who did not suspect but I had both my natural legs.
                           Resp'y yours, etc.           WILLIAM LEAL.

           ADDITIONAL  TESTIMONY  FROM WILLIAM LEAL.

                                             Aurora, Ind., May 18th, 1860.
   Dr. Bly:—Dear Sir:—In answer to your inquiries about the leg you made me,
 I  would say  that it still remains  in as good order as when I wrote you  last sum-
 mer. It has needed no repairs whatever,  and has no appearance of needing any
 yet.  The ankle joint is superior to any other in use, it gives an easy motion, no
 jerkino- against Bthe  stump, on the roughest ground; it is always tight, and mine
 shows no wear yet.
   A stranger came to work in the establishment where I am employed, and he had
 been there a month, when I made a remark about my leg;  he looked surprised
 and said " what do you mean ? "  I said, " do you not know that I wear an arti
 ficial le"-?"  He said he "had  not thought of such a thing."
   My P. 0. is now at Aurora,
                                    Respectfully yours,
                                                      WILLIAM LEAL.

           STILL  LATER TESTIMONY FROM WILLIAM LEAL.

                                              Aurora, Ind., May 13, 1862.

  Dear Sir—Two years ago to-day I wrote to you that my leg was in as good order
as when I wrote you the season before that,  and I now  repeat the same  thing.  I
have now worn it between three and four years without spending a cent on it, and
it is all right yet.                       Respectfully yours
        6   J                                         WILLIAM  LEAL. 
10
                         LORENZO TAYLOR.

                               Elbridge, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Sept. 1, 1859.


  Dear Sir—I have worn the leg you made me last May every day since ; and in jus-
tice to you, and those who are suffering as I was, that they may not be imposed upon, I
feel it my duty to let it be known how useful and important your invention is.   I
feel it more on account of a letter I received from Palmer & Co. before I got my leg.
  I would not like to repeat what they  say  about your leg, therefore I send you
their letter—you can read for yourself.  If I had not been near by, so I could go and
see your leg for myself, I should not have bought one, after reading their letter, but
should have got one of theirs, which has only a single up  and down  motion at the
ankle-joint, instead of the one I now  have, which admits of  every motion of the
natural ankle.
  If I happen to step  on  a  sidling place, or on  a stick  or stone, the ankle-joint
yields just enough to let the foot accommodate itself to the  inequality, and thereby
prevents all stumbling or inconvenience.
  I work in a saw-mill, where I roll  logs (see fig. 12), carry lumber, tend the saw,
and do all kinds of work.  When lifting, I sometimes put a strain on the leg, equal
to the weight of two or three men, but I find that the leg can stand all I can lift;
  The first week that I wore the leg.   I walked with  one crutch ; the next week I
used one cane, and the next week I lost  my cane so often  that I concluded to throw
it away altogether.*

                      With much gratitude, I subscribe myself,

                                                          Lorenzo Tayloe.
 * The third week, he " lost his cane so often."—that sentence alone tells the whoie story, to a
Jbinkicg man 
11
                              J.  H. DAVIS.
DR. Bly .                                   •    ^ Roy, N. Y., April 2, 1859.

^T ,Sir~lt£}7cs me Pieasure to inform you that the leg  I  bought of you last
September is of the greatest service to me.   I am in the grocery business, and on my
leet from morning until late at night.   I can roll and lift barrels and boxes of goods
out and into the wagon and cellar, deliver goods, and do everything pertaining to
my business   The eg is all right, and works well, though I have not put a drop of
oil into the ball and socket-joint since I got it.   I wish I had one of your Improved
ivnee-Joints, so I  would not be obliged to use anv oil at all, for it is a great nuisance.
lou can recommend the Ball and Socket, or Universal Motion, at the ankle-joint, as
highly as you like, for it cannot be over rated.
                   Most truly and thankfully yours,               J. H. Davis.

              ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY FROM J.  H.  DAVIS.

   T ,                „                              Leroy, May 10th, 1862.
   I have worn one of Dr. Ely's Artificial Legs  3 years and a half, and I hereby
 state that there has not been a single cord broken, neither has the ball and socket
 joint  got out  of order, in any  way, shape or manner.  And in regard to  utility
 and comfort  to  the  wearer, tho  Universal Joint can not  be gainsaid.   I have
 been keeping » grocery store, rolling  barrels,  and  carrying boxes up stairs and
 down cellar, and I would say  to all those who are suffering as I  was, that Dr.
 Bly s Artificial Leg will do all he recommends it to do.
   Most sincerely and thankfully yours,           JONATHAN H. DAVIS.
                             A.  W. GILBERT.

                                 Tully, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 30, 1859.
 Dr. D. Bly:
   Dear Sir— From a sense of duty to you, and those who have been unfortunate, like my-
 self, I send you the following, which you can make any use of you think best, and
 you may refer to me whenever you choose.
   I am now happy and comfortable, and I attribute it all to the Artificial Leg which
 I purchased of you last December.   I have worn the limb every day since, and have
 experienced no trouble.   Some of the cords I unscrewed a little, and others I screwed
 up a little, as you told me, until I got it to  suit my particular step or gait, and it
 has run like clock-work ever since.  I have not put a single drop of oilUn either the
 knee or ankle-joint; )'et, if I am not mistaken, it works better than when I  got it.
 The limb sets perfectly easy, and does  not hurt the stump, as other limbs do which
 I have seen in use.  The mobility of the ankle-joint prevents the stump from prying
 against the socket when the foot happens to be placed on any inequality.
  The Palmer and Selpho Legs are both in use about here, but it is the prevailing
 opinion that yours is the best, because I walk the best.  They walk quite well on a
 carpet, except that their step or gait is not quite as even and natural as mine, and 1
 think it is because they lack the diagonal motion at the ankle ; this may be a small
 matter to you, but it is a great one to us.   But when we come to walk out of doors,
 on all  sorts of rough  and uneven  places, then the superiority of the Ball and
 Socket-Joint is unmistakeable—it is the thing.  It surpasses my expectations, and I
would not be without it for any consideration.
                                  Yours truly,               A. W.  Gilbert.

            ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY FROM A.  W. GILBERT.

                                Tully, Onondaga Co., N. Y., May 25th, 1862.
   To  Whom it May Concern:—I hereby state that I have worn one of Dr.  Bly's
 Patent Legs  three  years and a  half,  and that it is still in  the  most perfect
 order.  The joints show no  perceptible wear yet.   They  never  rattle, creak, or
 make  any noise whatever;  and to me, what is very remarkable, is  that they
 never require any oil.
                                                      A. W. GILBERT 
12
                             H. J. DRAKE.

                                            Chelsea, Mich., Aug. 15, 1859.
Dr. D. Bly:
  Dear Sir—After so long a time, I write to inform  you how I am getting on with
the Artificial Leg you made me.   I have been wanting to give it a fair trial.   I can-
not find words to express my satisfaction.
  I have mowed my grass, and made my hay myself—and that, too, on the marsh,
where it was very boggy.
  I have cradled my oats myself (see fig. 13), and raked and bound them.  In fact I
can do most all kinds of work.
  I liked to forgot to tell you about threshing.  I have been all round the neighbor
hood threshing ; and by thus changing work, have got help to do my own threshing.
Doctor, if I could not get  another leg of this kind, I would not take one thousand
dollars for this one.             Most sincerely and thankfully yours,
                                                             H. J. Drake.
                                   Windsor, Canada West, May 18, 1860.
D. Bly, M. D., Rochester.
      Dear Sir :—In answer to your inquiry as to my opinion of the qualities of
the artificial leg which I obtained from you, and am now wearing, I cannot hesitate
to state that I have been by no means disappointed in it.
  I wore a leg manufactured by Mr. Palmer, of Philadelphia, several years, and felt
well satisfied with its usefulness; but I consider that the lateral motion of the
ankle joint in your leg is a decided improvement — the action of it being very
useful.  The knee joint, and  the  adaption  of the  leg to the stump at the hip, are
also improvements on the leg which I had from Mr. Palmer.
                        I am, dear sir, your obedient servant,
                                      JOHN O'CONNER, Jr.,
                                          Warden of the  County of Essex. 
13
                        BONEVENTUE  GROSS.
De.  Bly:                                                   St. Louis, Mo.

  Dear Sir—I am not able to express my thanks to you for the Artificial Leg you
made for me.  I find  that it has merits which I did not know of until I began to
use it.
  The doctors here told me that you had invented  a leg, with  the ankle-joint pat-
terned right after the natural one, and that it would bend  sideways and every way,
just  as well as the natural ankle—therefore I expected  a  good deal; still  it more
than fulfills my expectations.
  Besides all this, I find there is no iron or metal of any kind used in the construc-
tion  of the ankle-joint,  which makes the leg extremely light; furthermore,  the nature
of the material is such that no oil is ever  required.   Then,  for amputations like
mine—below the knee—the curved joints on either side of  the  knee are a great im-
provement on the ordinary square or angular joints, used by other makers.
  When  I sit down my pants set  perfectly smooth over the knee, and  I  am not
obliged to put my other leg across the joints to hide them.
                                                        BONEVENTUE GROSS.
                                       Saratoga  Springs, May 11th, 1860.
 _ Dr. Bly—Dear Sir :—I am still wearing your artificial leg, and feel a satisfac-
tion in saying, that it more than meets my expectation, for its lightness, adaptation
and. durability.   The ankle joint,  to nature, is all that art can imitate: it is perfect
in its action.   I can walk with ease, and without a  cane, on  uneven ground, or
elsewhere, and am attending to general business about the store.
  As to its durability, it needs but a slight mechanical eye to observe that yours
is more durable than any other that has been offered to the public.
  Hoping that your success may continue, that your improvement may continue
to relieve the unfortunate, as it has me.
                                       I remain, yours, <fec,
                                              CLARK W. SALISBURY.
              A PALMER  LEG REMODELED AND IMPROVED.

                                                     Buffalo, Sept. 17, 1859.
 Dr. Bly:
   Dear Sir—You ask the privilege of publishing my letters.  You can do so,  if you
 like.        *        o        o        o        «.
                               Yours, etc.,               William Bushnell.

                                                     Buffalo, March 12,  '59.
 Dr. Bly:
   Dear Sir—I have been wearing the Palmer Leg for about four years, during which
 time I have had two—both made by B. F. Palmer, of Philadelphia.  I have  had a
 great deal of trouble and vexation, caused by breaking  the instep springs. The in-
 step spring in my second leg has just broken again, which leaves  me entirely desti-
 tute—my first leg having been completely worthless for some time.  I am satisfied
 that metallic springs cannot be depended upon in an artificial leg ; therefore I would
 like to have you put your patent rubber  spring into my second leg.  If you will,
 please inform me by return mail.
                         Most respectfully yours,          William Bushnell.

                                                    Buffalo, Sept. 10, 1859.
 Dr.  Bly:
  Dear Sir—I am still wearing my Palmer Leg with the rubber springs you put in
for me.  I like  them very much.  It makes one feel mighty comfortable to  know
that he has springs that cannot be broken.   Besides, they  have improved  my walking
very much, the action of the rubber being so much more natural.
                      Most respectfully yours,             William Bushnell. 
14
                        JAMES  BOLTON,  M.  D.

                                                  Richmond, May 16,  1860.
                 Dear Doctor. — It gives me sincere pleasure to  testify to the
satisfaction which has been given by the limb fitted by you upon my ward. Master
----------.   On his  arrival home, all his friends were most agreeably surprised
by the improved appearance which it gave him, and by the remarkable easy gait
with  which he  walked, after  but a  few  day's use.   He has  continued  to wear
it to the present time, without having been compelled to lay it aside for a single
day, and of course he now uses it with increased dexterity.   The chief advantages
possessed by the limb, appear to  me to consist of the beautiful imitation of the
natural mechanism of the ankle joint. ■ Instead of the heavy metallic hinge joint
with its rivets, requiring frequent oiling; often working loose and  clattering, or
working too stiffly, and creaking;  your limb  has a beautiful substitute for the liga-
ments and tendons of the natural joint.  This not only avoids the objections to the
metallic joint,  but gives a graceful elasticity to the step, by a contrivance far more
durable,  and more resembling that of nature, than the metallic springs in ordinary
use.   In addition to this, the ball and socket give a sufficient lateral rotation to tue
foot, to adapt its sole to the uneven surfaces upon which it may be placed.
                                 Very respectfully yours,
                                               JAMES  BOLTON, M. D.
  Dr. Douglas Bly, Rochester, N. Y.

                                           Medina, Ohio, May  11th,  1860
Dr. Bly:
         Sir—Since the 1st of January last I have worn an  artificial limb, manu-
factured by you.  It far exceeds my expectations and I confidently believe it is
only excelled by  " Nature's own."  In form and finish it is so perfect that it may
be dressed  the same as the other foot.
  I have tested the utility of the  ankle joint and find the lateral motion of great
assistance in walking on an uneven surface.
  Whoever  uses it and tests its merits,  I am  sure will  add testimony to its
superiority.
  I am happy in being able to recommend to any one whose misfortunes render
such a substitute necessary, a limb which has thus far served me so well and prom-
ises to meet future exigencies.
                                           Yours, gratefully,
                                                  MARY  S. BECKWITH.
                                        Ogden,  Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept 1,  1859.
       I have used Artificial  Legs of various constructions for twelve or fifteen years,
     and latterly, have worn one of Dr. Bly's Ball  and Socket-Jointed Legs, which, in
     principal and operation, is agreatand essential improvement on those heretofore used.
       The motions of this limb are more natural than any I ever saw before.  The uni-
     versal motion at the ankle-joint is worth everything to a farmer ; it enables me to
     go about my farm, and do  my work, no matter how uneven the ground.   I can
     chop, make rail fence, dig ditch, and do most all kinds of work, though my leg is
     amputated above the knee.
       It is now more than a year since I  obtained this  leg, and it has given me no
     trouble in breaking or giving out, as all  my others have done.    Eastman Colby.

              ADDITIONAL TESTIMONY FROM EASTMAN COLBY.

                                          Ogden, Monroe Co.,  April 27th. 1860.
*      I hereby certify that  I have worn one of Dr. Bly's Ball  and Socket Jointed
     Legs for two years, and that the Ball  and Socket Joint and the  cords connect-
     ing it have  not broken,  given out, or got out of repair in the least.   It is the
     first and only leg I have ever  had which did  not  require  tinkering.   I have
     worn artificial legs  of different patents, for fifteen years,  but have never  worn
     any with which  I could walk with the ease,and facility  that  I  can  with Dr.
     Bly's,  especially on rough and uneven  ground.       EASTMAN COLBY. 
I
                  15

HENRTT EITT,  of Rochester, N. Y.
AS he is.                       as he was.
                         BOTH LEGS  AMPUTATED
                                                           ROCHESTEP,, N. Y.
                      #
   Dear Sir—I wish to state a few facts, which I hope you will publish for the benefil
 of those who have had the misfortune to undergo amputation of one or both legs.
   For two long years, after I had my legs amputated, I dragged out a miserable
 existence, walking on my knees, during which time I was  shown a great many
 artificial legs ; and, after seeing and learning all that I could, I determined to pro-
 cure a pair of Dr. Bly's Ball and Socket-Jointed Legs.  And now, after using them,
 I can assure those  wanting artificial legs, that their superiority over all others that
 I have seen, is decided and positive.
  The great improvement consists in the mobility of the ankle-joint, which bends
 sideways and diagonally,  and every way the  natural ankle does.  The side motion
 enables me  to keep  my  balance with the same facility that others do, by allowing
 the body to sway to one side or the other, as  the case requires, particularly when on
 a, steamboat, or on the cars.  It takes away the stiffness and uncertainty, or feeling
 as if on stilts,  which there is when on two legs,  which have ko lateral motion at the
 ankle.  My motions are so free and easy, and 1  walk so  well,  that many are not
 willing to believe that I  walk  on two Artificial Limbs, until I show them.  I live
a little more than a mile and a half from the  post-office, and I am in the habit of
walking there, and about town, for an hour or  two, and  then home again, without
a cane ; and I'ask no one to wait for me, either.   If there is any one who does not
 relieve it,  let him try me.
  I am now learning a trade, and am comfortable and happy.
                                                               Henry  Eitt. 
                                   16
                                              Rochester, Dec. 27, 1859.
 Sometime in  September last Dr. Bly called at my Picture Gallery and asked
me if I could take the likeness of Mr. Eitt, a man who had lost both of his legs,
and was wearing two of the Dr 's "Patent Legs."   I said I could in halt an
hour.  A little before the time expired, I went down to the foot of the stairs to
see if they were coming, and  see how the man walked.  In a minute or two a
man passed me and went up stairs ;  near him was  the Doctor.   I asked where
the lame man was.   "There he is," replied the Doctor.  Said I, " he  does not
go lame."  " Well, that is the man," said the Doctor.   And 1 hereby state that
Mr. Eitt, with two Artificial Legs, could and did, without the aid of a cane, walk
in such a  manner  that no one would notice any  lameness.  He went up and
down stairs without inconvenience.                     MATSON OTIS,
             Artist and Proprietor of Gallery, No. 14 State St., Rochester.
                             Stanton, Portage Co., Wis., May 15th, 1860.
Douglas Bly, M.  D., Rochester, N. Y.
          Dear Sir :  It is some time since my last to you.  I have been wait-
ing until I had thoroughly tried the Leg you made me, which I have done, and
become satisfied that it  is all that you represented it to be.   Before I got it,
I thought that if  one half its merits were true, which I found set forth in your
pamphlet, it would be good enough; and now by using it I find that they were
not only all true, but that not more than half were told.   The fact is, no one
can fully appreciate the merits of  the  Ball and Socket Joint, until he uses it.
I go wherever I like,  no matter  whether it is level or hilly, rough  or smooth.
The foot accommodates  itself to the surface, the same as the natural one,  and
enables me to walk with freedom and ease.  Respectfully yours,
                                                   W.  H. PACKARD.
             A PALMER LEG REMODELED AND IMPROVED.
                                               Detroit, Mich., Aug. 3, '59.
Dr. D. Bly:
  Dear Sir—I this day send you by express one of my Artificial Legs, manufactured
by Mr. Palmer, of Philadelphia.  I wish you to insert your patent India-rubber springs
and knee-joint. I have worn Artificial Legs between thirty and forty years—Bartlett's,
Palmer's, and Thomas', and one other, whose name I  cannot recollect—all of them
having metallic springs, which are a perpetual  source of trouble and expense, in con-
sequence of their breaking so often.  Another great source of annoyance with all the
Artificial Legs I have seen or worn, is the wearing of the bolts and boxes, producing
a clanking or rattling noise ; the only remedy being to send the limb to the manu-
facturer, or some other mechanic, to  have the boxes bushed.  I saw a  specimen of
your Artificial Legs last Spring ; gave it a thorough examination, and it seems to me
you have found a remedy for both of the difficulties alluded <to.
  Please make the necessary alteration as soon as convenient, as I am  in continual
fear, when one of my legs is gone for repair, that the springs in the other may break
at any time, and compel me to take to my crutches.
                                      Yours truly,                E.  Rood.

                                             Detroit, Mich., Sept. 19,  1859.
Dr. D. Bly:
  Dear Sir—My Palmer Leg, into which you put your  patent springs and knee-joint,
came in due season.   I  am extremely well pleased with the improvement.  The
action of your springs is remarkably pleasant. There is a life-like elasticity in them.
which gives a very fine motion to the leg, far superior to the metallic springs.
  Your method of tightening the knee-joint is admirable.  It is as much better than
bushing with buckskin,  as the rubber springs are better than the metallic.
  I am so well pleased that I shall send you my other Artificial Leg, to have your
Bprings and knee-joint inserted, as soon as its instep spring breaks again.
                              Yours -espectfully,                Ezra Rood.
  All  other legs of similar construction improved in  the  same  manner  on
reasonable terms. 
                     17

DR. J. F.  MILLER,  of Louisville, Ky.
AS he is.                  as HE WAS.
                                      Louisville, Ky., Dec. 10th, 1859.
   Dear Doctor:—Again I send you  my warmest thanks, for  setting ine on
 my feet again.    I also ieel very thankful to the doctors here for sending me to
 you.   They told me you had constructed a leg on anatomical principles, which I
 hardly thought possible,  but now I am convinced.  The Ball and Socket joint
 at the ankle, allows my feet to accommodate themselves to the varying inequal-
 ities of the ground, so well, that not one in a hundred can tell, by seeing me
 walk,  that I walk on anytning but my natural legs.   This has been tried over
 over again.   It is a great triumph.   I can wah<  on  rough ground, side hills,
 slanting sidewalks, cobblestone pavements, and up and down stairs without dif-
 ficulty, not even requiring a cane.    In going up and down stairs I use my feet
 alternately, the same as  other people.   When I  had had  my legs only three
 weeks, 1 walked a mile and a quarter in 22 minutes, and went up one flight of
 stairs in the time.   A few days ago I walked over  the Oakland  Race Course—
 one mile—in fourteen  minutes.  Dr. Knight, D. S. Benedict, Thomas Brown,
 Capt. McPherson, and  others, saw me do it.  I do  not know whether you  call
 that good  walking or not,  but it suits me pretty well.
  I, and my friends, will wager $5,000, that I can  walk a greater distance in  a
given  time, than any man living who walks on two artificial legs of any other
patent or coustruction.
  If there is any one in this region who ^vants an artificial leg, send him to me,
for I am a better certificate than can be published.
              Most sincerely yours,                 DR. J  F. MILLER. 
18
  Ug]r Mr.  J.  F. Miller had the  misfortune in California some years ago to
have both legs cut off by a threshing machine, and subsequently resided in this
city, but was nevertheless able to move about on the remaining joints.  During
the past year Mr. Miller has procured a pair of artificial legs made by Dr. Bly,
of Rochester.   We  knew Mr. Miller well when he  resided here before, and
yesterday a friend took us to his office.  We found him sitting in a chair on enter-
ing, and he immediately arose and coming up to us received us very cordailly.
Our friend had not informed  us who  he was, and we  did not recognize him.—
We knew the face, but having been  accustomed to  look  down upon him, we
now had to look up in addressing him, and he moved about on his artificial "un-
derstandings " with an ease that challenged detection.   The change was so great
we had to be told who he was.—Louisville Journal.
  This leg was exhibited at  the New York State Fair, at Albany, Octooer 4,
1859, and the following is the Report of the Committee:

  Artificial Legs.—History  teaches  us  that  now  and then  an ultimatum
will be accomplished in some given direction of scientific research  or mechanic
art, or both combined.    This, it seems  to us, is  the case in regard to Dr. Bly's
Artificial Leg.    Nothing can, possibly, more entirely imitate and replace the
natural leg.   It is light  and strong—it is capable of adjustment to the stump
without  inconvenience to the wearer—it is symmetrical and elegant in its pro-
portions, and when covered with a stocking would not bo detected.   But its
crowning excellence consists in the flexibility and perfectly natural motion of
the joints, and the adaptation of the foot  to any position or any uneven surface,
operating in all  respects  like the natural one, and the motion or action  of the
leg in the act of walking, on account  of  the rubber springs or musclas with
which it is furnished, instead of hitching or dragging as is generally the case, is
elastic, buoyant,  and  natural.   And we repeat, it is  difficult to surmise what
further can be accomplished in this direction.   The doctor had a gentleman in
company with him who wore two of them, and it was really surprising to see
with what ease, with only a cane, and sometimes without even that aid, he could
not only walk about, but could do so  easily and gracefully.  The doctor has not
only proved himself a first class inventor, but a public benefactor  also, and  we
feel sure that those who have been so unfortunate as to be deprived of either or
both of their legs, will learn by the use of his artificial ones to  so  regard him
We award him the first premium.
  I certify that the foregoing is a true extract from  the report of Committee,
No; 72d, of the N. Y. State Fair, held at Albany Oct. 4th, 1859.
                                           S. A. BUNCE, Sec'y to Com.
                                           Albany, N. Y., July 30th, 1860.
Dr.  Bly:
   I am very much pleased with my artificial leg you made ;  it works well, so life-
life in  all its motions.  The superiority of your springs over the metallic ones I
have formerly worn, is very apparent.  I can walk with perfect ease and elasticity.
I am on my feet from early dawn till night, both in and out doors, without the least
inconvenience,  since wearing the one made by you, but I could  never  do it with
either of  the former legs, to a much less extent, without wounding me severely:
this great difficulty is now done  away with.
   I have worn legs of several  different patents, among which  are  Selpho's old
Anglesea, and Selpho's improved Anglesea.  Over  all  of these I  must give  yours
the decided preference.                Yours, with much respect,
                                                        ANNA  McCREA. 
19
                                          Corning, N. Y., Aug. 15th,  1860.
Dr. Douglas Bly :
  Dear Sir :—I have worn your leg every day since I got it, and am very much
pleased with it.  I have worn three different patents before  yours — one made in
New York, one in Boston, and one in Springfield,  Mass., by Palmer & Co., but I
never could walk as well, or work with as much ease with either of them as I  can
with yours.  The side motion is the best thing of all.  It enables me to lift and
carry heavy iron castings without  hurting or straining my stump; also to work at
a vice, or do anything belonging to my trade—machinist.
  Your India rubber springs enable me to walk very well. indeed.  I  have no limp
or halt as I had with my other legs.  The India rubber  springs seem to take away
the mechanical  action always produced by metallic springs.   If  any one wishes to
see this demonstrated, let him come and see me at my work, or let him take a walk
with me.                               Yours, <fec,
                                                          HENRY LIPPS.
           A PALMER LEG REMODELLED  AND  IMPROVED.

                          Schaghticoke, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Aug. 16, 1860.
Dr. Bly:
  Dear Sir :—I am happy to inform you that my Palmer leg, which you remodelled
for  me with  your improved Ankle Joint and  Springs, now works to a charm.   1
suffered a great deal of inconvenience with the springs of my old leg continually
breaking,  and with the joints  becoming so loose as to make a noise at every step,
both of °which difficulties are obviated by your improved springs and joints.
  The lateral motion of the ankle joint is a great improvement over the old Palmer
ankle.  It enables me to walk on any grade, or on rough and uneven places, without
prying, cramping or straining my stump.   And it gives a greater freedom of mo-
tion, and takes away that stiffness that 1 used to feel in walking.
  The natural motion and ease in walking, obtained by your ankle joint and India
rubber springs, when contrasted with my old Palmer ankle and springs, makes your
invention  invaluable.   You deserve the heartfelt thanks of that portion of commu-
nity who are obliged to look to art, to supply a limb, in place of one of which acci-
dent has deprived them.                 I remain, truly your friend,
          ^                                                J. W.  GEDDIS,
8813 
                                            Batavia, N. Y., June 1st, 1860.
  It is now about two years since I obtained one of Dr. Bly's Ball and Socket
Jointed Artificial Legs, and I can  testify that neither joint, spring, or any part of
it, has got.out of order in the least.                             H. BACKUS.
                                  Shushan, Washington Co., March 13, 1861.
Douglas Bly, M. D.:
  M]i Dear Sir:—I shall send yon my Palmer Leg on Monday next, by express, for
you to put in all your improvements, especially the ankle and knee joints.
    ■*        *         *        *        *         *         *'         *
  In reading one of your recommendations, the writer speaks of the great annoy-
ance with artificial Legs, such as the wearing of the  bolts  and  boxes, producing a
clanking or rattling noise.  That is the case with my limb, so much so that I dread
to walk, and do so only when compelled by necessity.  Put  in your method oi
tightening the knee joint.              Yours, affectionately,
                                         PHILANDER PERRY,
                                            Pastor First Salem Bap. Church.

                                           Ingersoll, C. W., March 6, 1861.
Doct. Bly :
  Dear Sir:—    *      *      *      *        I have improved very much in
walking since I began to wear the Leg you made me.  I like your  Leg far  better
than my old one.  1 am not afraid of breaking a spring, which gives me confidence
in .myself when walking.      *       *        I remain yours,
                                                       JOHN C. LITTLE. 
'21
rr  ,i      • ,                                             Utica,  July 9, 1861.
lo those wishing to procure substitutes for lost Legs:
  I, Thomas Morgan, having had the experience of several years in walking  artifi-
                                                                           d
                              . -j procuring a good and substantial Leg. I first got
a Calmer Leg, and having worn it out was compelled to get a new one.  I had heard
a great deal of Dr. Bly's famous Ball and Socket Jointed Artificial  Leg.   I made
up my mind to have one, and see what I could get out of it in the way of walking.
1 have been walking on it one year, and to my satisfaction.  I must give it a deci-
ded preference over the Palmer Leg; it gives me more ease and  comfort, and cer-
tainly has greater durability, as I cannot see as it has  worn a  particle  yet.  The
Ball and Socket  joint imparts ease that I cannot get where there is no side motion ;
and secondly, it never requires bushing and constant tinkering to keep it in running
ord«r.                                 Yours, truly,
                                                  THOMAS  MORGAN,
                                                                Utica, N. Y.

                                            Mt. Gilead, 0., January 24,  1861.
Dr.  Bly:                                                        j
  Dear Sir :—It is with pleasure, and from a sense of duty 1 owe you, I write this.
The Leg you manufactured for me works to a charm.   Those  not acquainted with
the circumstance can hardly be made to  believe that I use an Artificial Leg, as it i?
hardly perceptible, as I walk without crutch or cane, although I  have only  used it
about three months.   In conclusion, allow me to thank you heartily for  what- you
have done  for me, and also to congratulate you on your great invention, hoping that
prosperity  may be yours.         I remain your obedient servant,
                                                  E.  C. CHASE,
                                                       County Recorder,
                                                          Morrow Co., Ohio.

                                             Indianapolis, Ind., May 12,  1861.
Dr.  D. Bly :
  Dear Sir:—My experience in wearing Artificial Legs previous to wearing yours,
was such  that  1 had made up my mind that all artificial Legs were necessarily un-
comfortable, and that I must put up with it; but now I am happy to find that I was
mistaksn.  The  side motion in your's prevents all the cramping, straining and hurt-
ing the stump when I step  on a stick or stone, or on uneven ground, a relief and
comfort that no  one can well understand unless he  has  worn  a Leg without  side
motion.  The curved joints at the knee, with the arrangement  for tightening,  are
admirable.  Either the ankle joint or the  rubber springs, or both together, have
improved my walking very much.   I walk so well that I  am looked upon as an able
man ; so well, that one of our captains,  who was getting up a company, wanted  me
to join  in his ranks, and one of the boys told him that I had an artificial Leg, so he
examined me, and finding that he was sold, treated the crowd.
                                                     Yours, truly,
                                                           WM.  B.  JONES.
                                               Cincinnati, 0., April 24, 1861.
Dr. D. Bly, Rochester, N. Y.:
  Respected Sir:—I feel that I am fulfilling a duty in returning  my sincere thanks
for the great benefit I  received in  procuring one of your '• Artificial Limbs."  1
can deeply feel for the poor wretch who has to pass through life ou a  crutch, with
aching arm, benumbed hand, and deformed appearance.  I would, as a fellow sufferer,
ur<>-e on all such the necessity of procuring one of Dr. Bly's "Artificial Limbs."  I
have been walking for six months on one, and I have more than  realized my most
sanguine  expectations.   The ankle  joint is  splendid,  (though  the agent  of " the
Palmer Le"- in Cincinnati" told me that it was useless,  and that I would  walk on
the side of the foot in a short time,) but that  is impossible.   1 have since  thought
the o-entleman had selfish motives, though it is uncharitable to practice them on the
poor%ons of misfortune.   May your invention ever continue to be to others what it
has been to me :  a revival of life's happiest days.   Again thanking you,
                                Believe me ever your debtor,
                                                        A. R. CALLAHAN. 
•22
         "SYME'S OPERATION" THROUGH THE ANKLE JOINT.
  From the following testimony of Mr. White, a well known citizen of Albany, N. Y.,
who purchased a leg and gave it to a lad as a charity, it will be seen that this Leg
can be applied after " Syme's operation " with unparalleled success.   Still, I  think
it is better for the patient to be amputated at the junction of the lower and middle
third of the tibia.
                                               Albany,  N. Y., May 1, 1862.
Dr. D. Bly:
  Dear Sir—The  Artificial Leg which I purchased from you for a young  lad  who
had his leg amputated through the ankle joint, and  whose case 1 felt a great interest
in from the peculiar circumstances  attending his  injury,  works  admirably.  His
movements in walking appear natural and easy, and his control of the limb seems
in no wise impeded.  I feel gratified, from my observation, of the perfection of your
art in the manufacture of Artificial Legs, in giving you this approving testimonial.
                                           Yours, <fcc,
                                                      WILLIAM WHITE.
                       UNEXPECTED  TESTIMONY.
   The following letter from Mr. Geddis to Mr. Parks in answer to inquiries in rela-
 tion to artificial limbs, is very gratifying indeed, particularly as I had  not  heard
 from Mr. Geddis for nearly two years.  The letter being  shown me by a  third
 party only a day or two before going to press, I publish it without asking the con-
 sent of either Mr. Parks or Mr. Geddis, therefore I must beg their pardon for taking
.such liberties:
                                              Schaghticoke, April 24, 1862.
 Mr. S. C. Parks, Troy, N.  Y.:
   Dear Sir—Yours of yesterday is at hand, and I  cheerfully  render you all the
 information in my power.  I suffered amputation of my right leg above the knee in
 1855, was advised to try the " Palmer  Improved Leg,"  which I did in the fall ot
 1856, procuring it at the " Home Office," under the special observation of Mr. B. F.
 Palmer, who knows how to sympathize while striving to ameliorate the unpleasant
 condition of such as you and I.
   I was well satisfied with it, walking nearly as  well as  I ever did.   But I was
 troubled very much with the metallic springs breaking, sometimes as often as every
 week.  Finally, in June, 1860, I went to Rochester, and had my old leg re-modelled
 with Dr. Bly's improvements below the knee,  which I then liked  very much, and
 which I now like still better, for I can walk much easier, with less effort, and more
 freedom than on the Palmer patent.
   The great benefit of Bly's over all other improvements I have seen, is, his sub-
 stitution of rubber in place of metal for  springs,  and  the ball and socket  ankle
joint, which admits ol a very natural  movement in every direction, whereas the
others admit of only an up and down front movement.
   I should  advise you by all means to have Dr. Bly's Leg.       *       *        *
If there are any particulars about which I can give you any light, I shall be happy
to do so.   I shall try to go to Rochester about  the 1st of June on the  same errand
and if you  do not go before, I should be glad of your company.       *        *
 *      *      I should also be glad to show you the leg and explain its workings.
                               Your friend  and well wisher,
                                                           I. W. GEDDIS.
                         REPORT OF  COMMITTEE,
On Artificial Legs at the Ohio State  Fair,  1861:
  "Your Committee examined an Artificial  Leg presented by Douglas Bly, of Cin-
cinnati   We feel free to commend it  as a most ingenious piece of mechanism, com-
bining elasticity, freedom of motion  and strength, in a  very great decree of perfec-
tion.  Your Committee are of the opinion that in the free lateral motion which it
permits  of the ankle-joint, it is an improvement  over any  Artificial Le»- now
manufactured."
  Your Committee awarded Dr. Bly the first prize. 
23
n  „                            Hartwiok, Otsego Co., N. Y., May 10, 186 2.

  Dear Sir—You may refer any one to me who wants a leg, and I will consider it
no trouble to show mine.   I have now worn it more than a year, and it  has  never
been out of order a minute—a great contrast when compared with the  Palmer Lee
which  I  wore  before getting yours.   That gave out so often  that I never felt safe"
The Palmer Leg may do for a gentleman, but it is not to be compared  with your's
for  a farmer.   The universal  motion  at the ankle joint enables me to go about my
farm, no  matter how uneven the ground.   1 can chop, make  rail fence, dig ditch,
sow my grain,  in fact do most all kinds of work, though my leg is amputated within
five inches of my body.               Yours truly,
                                                       GEORGE LOUGH.


                  AN ARTIFICIAL LEG IN THE ARMY.
                                                Camp------, Dec. 10, 1862.
Dr. Bly:
  Dear Sir—     *      *      *      *      I think I did well to be sworn in
to the service without being found out, or even mistrusted. I am in------Regi-
ment, ------Brigade.  After we had  travelled two hundred miles I told Capt.----
that I wore an artificial leg, and he was  utterly amazed.  He said  no one would
think of such a thing to see me, and as it was, nothing should be said as long as  I
did my duty.  Give my  respect to your workmen, and tell them that I would not
be without the " ball and socket"  for anything.     Yours ever,
  P. S.—You must not tell my name  nor regiment,  because it will be  "all day"
with me if Uncle Sam finds it out.
                                            Rochester,  N. Y., May 12, 1862.
  In 1857 my foot was run over by a locomotive, and " Chopart's operation" across
the instep was performed by an eminent surgeon.   I afterwards went to New York
City and procured a substitute from Palmer & Co., with which I hobbled about  the
best I could.  The springs broke within three or four months, and after  that time
the leg was continually giving out in different parts, and continually being repaired
for about eighteen months, when it got beyond  repairing, and I was obliged to
abandon it.  After becoming satisfied that a  serviceable substitute for " Chopart's
operation " was impossible, in 1860 I underwent secondary amputation at the lower
part of  the leg, through and by the advice of Dr. Bly.   When well,  I procured a
substitute from Dr. Bly, which exceeds my highest expectations.   It has never  re-
quired any repairs, though more than a year  in constant use.  It fits well, and is so
easy to  walk with, that it almost seems as if the second amputation put  my leg on
again, instead of cutting off more.  The ease  with which I walk, where it is rough
or smooth, astonishes those who never before have seen an artificial leg with lateral
motion.
                                                      LOUIS GOODMAN.
                                           Schenectady, N. Y., May 6,1862.
Dr. D. Bly : *
  Dear Sir—1 have worn the Palmer patent Legs several years, but I never wore a
Palmer Leg a year without renewing or repairing the springs or j oints.   I have now
worn yours more than a year without any repairs, still it is as good as when I got
it from you, for any thing I can see.  For comfort, naturalness and beauty, your
Leo- is not surpassed.  I have travelled a good deal, and have made myself familiar
with the different Legs made in the United  States, England, ai.d the Continent,
having worn nearly every kind that has been made within  the last twenty-four years,
therefore speak knowingly.  Some manufacturers who  make Legs  without lateral
motion, pretend that lateral motion is of  no service  in an  Artificial Leg,  but any
man  who has worn both  kinds knows that the lateral motion is worth everything.
It gives such comfort,  freedom, and grace, and is such a palpable improvement, that,
it seems strange .that  any one should be  so selfish as to make any such pretensions.
                                       Respectfully yours,
                                                      ANDREW FRAME. 
24
                      HENRY LEWIS, OSWEGO, N. Y.
  This is probably the most remarkable case in which Artificial Legs have ever been
applied with success.  They have been applied, as in the ease of J. S. Sanford, where
one leg was amputated just above the ankle, and the other just above the knee, but
never in a case of such mutilation as this.  This case demonstrates the utility of the
lateral motion beautifully   The stumps are so short as to preclude all possibility of
wearing Artificial Legs without lateral motion.  To balance with such short stumps
on Artificial Legs without lateral motion, would bo like a boy on stilts.
Dr. D. Bly :                                          Oswego, April 24, 1862.
  Dear Sir—It is with heartfelt gratitude thnt I write those fW u„„0 f~ • t




close to «.« body, .nd .1,, „,l,,r witl,i/M inch Z .  i»i} „^Z S'S ^J 
25
no case, though similar, had Artificial Legs ever been applied to such short stumps.
And when Dr. Bly would make no promises, except that he would try, then the future
looked dark.   But ten thousand thanks for that trial.  It was  successful.  Despair
was banished..  Joy returned like a burst of sun-light after a terrible storm.  I was
happy once more.
  I have now worn the Legs two years with increased success.  I walk to and from
my place of business with ease.  On an average I walk two miles a day in the street,
which is not anything like what I could do if occasion required.   I go up and down
stairs, get out and into carriages, railway cars, &c, &c, and  go when and where I
please.   I use no cane in and around the office.  I have been  intimately acquainted
with persons for months without their mistrusting that I wore even  one Artificial
Leg, though they saw I was a little lame.
  The lateral  motion  at  the  ankle  prevents  all cramping and prying  when I
step  on  any  inequality,  and  thereby enables  my little  short stumps to  con-
trol the legs remarkably well.
  With many wishes for your health and happiness,  I remain yours.
                                                          HENRY  LEWIS.
      ENDORSED  BY THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF MEDICINE.
  The New York Academy of Medicine acknowledging the importance of Artificial
Legs, appointed a co.nnnittee  to  investigate the construction and  merits of every
Artificial Leg before the public, and report to the Academy.   After having the sub-
ject  under investigation for  something more than a year, the committee made an
elaborate report, from which  I make the following extract:
  " The Bly L-g differs in many important particulars from those already described.
The ancle joint differs from all others in the means made use of to give mobility.
   It is a tolerably close imitation of the natural joint, having prominently in view a
universal movement, which is attained by a ball  and socket joint.  The ball is of
ivory, the socket in  which it works of vulcanized rubber, and kept in position by
five  catgut cords (two  on either  side, and  the heel cord) having vulcanized rubber
nuts upon their upper  ends, which are made fast to a strong diaphragm about the
middle of the leg.   The nuts work upon  car-spring India rubber  cushions to give
elasticity of action.  By tightening these  nuts, almost  any  degree  of mobility may
be had according to  the wishes of the wearer, and almost any inclination to one side
or the other according to the peculiar set of the wearer's foot.
  The necessity for a broad, firm base such as the feet, upon which the  characteris-
tic erect posture of man depends,  renders general  mobility especially necessary.
This member being intended  to  give firmness and stability in the erect posture by
accommodating itself to all  inequalities of surface, must of necessity be free to as-
sume any inclination  in any direction, and this  can easily  be accomplished by a
universal movement at the ancle.
  It will be at once seen that if the sole of the foot (the ankle being stiff) be flatly
applied to an inclined surface of only  a few degrees, the head of the femur must
describe  an arc in proportion to  the length of the limb and inclination of the sur-
face or else the body and arms must be engaged  in continuous efforts to preserve
the balance, which could not be done even then, except on surfaces inclined a very
few decrees
  This°diffieulty is overcome in one direction only by the anteroposterior flexion of
the ankle, the same difficulty obtaining in  full force as respects movements in every
other direction.  To remedy this defect, wearers  of limbs of this kind tread  upon
the ed-e of the foot  when on inclined surfaces, in effect surrendering all the advan-
tage of a firm, broad base, and converting the limb to that extent into a " peg leg."
  °Havin"- such impressions of the importance of a universal movement at the ankle,
we believ°e that such as make use of that principle are to be preferred  to those in
which it is not adopted."

       ENDORSED  BY THE  STATE MEDICAL SOCIETY OF OHIO.

  "Resolved That  we have  witnessed the exhibition of Dr.  Douglass Bly's Ball
and  S ■Ksket. Joined Artificial  Leg, with extreme satisfaction, and are free to express
the fact that its motions and  m< chanism surpass  everything of the  kind that  we
have ever become acquainted with." 
26
               AN  IMPORTANT  INVENTION

        TO  PERSONS  OP   LIMITED  MEANS.

  I have often beeD appealed to by Surgeons in the Hospitals to construct a good
substantial Artificial Leg for the poor;  one which would  be cheap and durable,
though it did not have all the motions of the natural leg, like my " Ball and Socket
jointed " one.   Therefore 1 made an effort, and am pleased with the result.
   This leg is not equal to my " Ball and Socket"  one, because it has no lateral
motion at the  ankle, still, it is much superior to any other leg yet invented, for the
following reasons:  First, because it has the same  India  rubber  springs that my
Ball and Socket leg has, which cannot be broken, and which give an easy, graceful
motion, like that of the natural muscles, instead of the quick, snapping  action of
metallic springs.  Suppose a man has a leg with metallic springs just strong enough
to bear his weight and walk properly, should lift a box, bag, or weight  of any kind
nearly equal to his own weight,  what would be the effect on his springs thus over-
taxed? Ask any laboring man who has worn a Palmer Leg.  India rubber springs
in such a case cannot be broken, because  they  are used by compression,  like Rail
Road Car springs.   India rubber springs, which have now been in use  three years,
show no wear or loss in any way perceptible.  If there is any loss, it is so little
that three years use does not show it.
  The ankle joint in this Leg is a  unique invention  within itself.  The bearing
between the foot and leg, or axis of this joint, is composed of a peculiar composition,
invented by Dr. Bly, who was educated in Chemistry, Anatomy, and  Surgery, in
Paris.    By  a  thorough  knowledge of  Chemistry, and repeated experiments,
he has discovered a composition  which is exactly what was needed to make an ankle
joint without lateral motion, which would be durable, and never wear so as to get
loose and rattle, or require bushing with buckskin, or anything else.  Thus he has
given the same durability to the ankle joint without lateral motion, as  he has pre-
viously given the one which has all the motions of the natural ankle. For amputation
above the knee, the knee joint is just the same as that in the "Ball and Socket"
jointed Leg already described.   The exterior of this Leg is plain and  substantial.
Nothing is spent in ?howy finish—the main object being to produce great durability
with but little  cost, which is now accomplished.  This Leg has all the  motions the
Palmer Leg has, and has the all-important advantage of more durable joints and my
India rubber springs, which make it to the poor, what my " Ball and Socket" jointed
Leg is to. the rich.   As it is intended  for the poor, especially for cases of charity, it
will be furnished as low as the workman can manufacture it and live.
  A host of testimonials might be given for this invention, but as it has  the same
springs, and same durability as  the other, it is unnecessary.
•   I have a circular dated  " Office of Palmer's Patent Leg, Jan. 1, 1858," and signed
 " Palmer <fe Co.," from which I make the following quotation:
   " To insure permanency  to  the  business no pains have been spared,  and our
 present facilities for supplying limbs offer the strongest guaranty to our patients.
 They may feel assured that we  shall always be found as ready  to attend  to  their
 subsequent needs as to construct the limbs  originally—a  consideration of as  much
 importance to the patient as to have the surgeon at hand to attend to the treatment of
 a limb  after amputation.'1
   The Legs herein described, with their India Rubber springs,  are not continually
 breaking down or giving out, so as to  require the constant attention of the maker,
 as a patient after amputation requires the attention of the surgeon.  The principles
 upon which these are constructed are such that none of them can get out of order,
 unless it is through some  negligence of tbe workmen, and only two or  three  such
 cases have ever occurred. 
27
           (Fromthe Transactions of the Medical Society of the State of New York.)
The Points of Election and Kind of Operation, for Amputation of the  Lowest Ex-
    tremities, with reference to the Use of Artificial Limbs.

                  By DOUGLAS  BLY,  M.  D., Rochester, N. Y.
                      POINTS  OP  ELECTION.

  Since an early period in  surgery,  surgeons  have recognized the importance of
selecting such points for amputation of the lower extremities, as were best adapted
to the application of artificial limbs.  And  many of the authors of works on  sur-
gery have given such points as were  considered best adapted to the artificial limbs
made at that time, but the great improvements which have been  made  in artificial
limbs have materially changed the old points of election;  therefore this  subject
demands the attention of surgeons generally.
  In accordance with the high state of perfection now attained in the construction
of artificial limbs, all amputations performed on the foot should be anterior to  the
insertion of the flexors of the foot.   The operation  known as " Chopart's," severs
the flexors of the foot, and should never  be performed  under any circumstances
whatever.  The moment the flexors are severed, the  extensors, having no antago-
nists, draw, the heel upward, extend the foot on the  leg, and  cause the amputated
surface to point almost directly downward.  This deprives the patient of all power
to use the remaining portion of the foot, and also renders him incapable of wearing
a useful substitute.   I am aware that, to obviate this difficulty, some surgeons have
severed the tendo achillos, but that has proved ineffectual; it is only a partial relief
at best.   Therefore amputation at this point renders the patient a hopeless cripple.
The wound is slow to heal, always tender, often ulcerating, and the remaining  por-
tion of the foot is generally a curse to the patient  as long as he lives, unless he
submits to a  secondary amputation.
  It is but a short time since the Prof, of Surgery in the Geneva Medical College
performed  secondary amputation for such a  patient.  This  patient had  had. the
tendo achilles cut twice, and then made  an unsuccessful effort to  wear a substitute
constructed by a noted firm in New York city, but at last, to better his condition,
was obliged to submit to re amputation.  (See  cut, Fig. 5, which represents a  stump
after  " Chopart's operation.")
FiyS,
  Amputation through the ankle joint by sawing
" Svmes' operation," is  less objectionable; still,
through the malleoli, known as
since the artificial leg has been
hrouo-ht to such perfection, there are reasons which weigh heavily against  this
operation  The ankle joint in the artificial leg should correspond with the one of
the natural le«- but can not in this case, on account of the length of the  tibia and 
28
  fibula, therefore the joint must be placed a little  lower than the other.   (See  cuts
§ Nos. 1 and 3, on second page.)  For amputations below the knee, the cords C, Fig. 1,
  have to be shor ened according to the length of the stump, until the springs, S, rest
  on the plane seen just above the ball, B, and can not  conveniently  be placed  any
  lower, consequently in Syme's operation the springs must  be placed in the foot,
  whereas they should occupy the position of  the muscles as near as may be.  To get
  a good fit with an artificial limb, the stump  should be conical, or at least it  should
  not be larger at the end than it is  higher up, as it renders a portion of the interior
  of the artificial too large, if made large enough to allow the bulbous extremity to
  pass through.  (See cut, Fig. 6, which represents a stump, after  " Syme's operation.")
  Or if the leg is made to lace up, eveu then the ankle is necessarily large and clumsy.
   It has been supposed that by this operation the patient would be able to take the
  most if not all his weight upon the end of the stump, but  the  cases  which I have
  seen do not sustain the supposition.  I have not seen one that could support  the
  whole weight on the end of the stump, though a few could sustain some, not enough,
  however, to counter-balance the difference in  the substitutes; while others  could
  not bear any more  than  those who  are  amputated  higher, up.   Therefore,  when
  amputation becomes necessary which would sever the flexors ot the  foot,  it  should
  be performed a sufficient  distance above the ankle joint,  to admit  of an  artificial
  substitute with an ankle joint of the most perfect construction  now attained
   The junction of the middle and lower third of the tibia is  the lowest point at
  which amputation of the  leg cau be performed, and give sufficient room for the con-
 struction of a good, substantial and graceful  artificial limb, with  an ankle joint of
 the most recent improvement.  It al*o gives  a stump of as much length as is of any
 service to the patient, therefore the junction  of the middle and lower third  of  the
 tibia should be the first point of election, whenever the flexors of the foot can not be
 saved.   (See point indicated on leg,  cut, Fig. 4..)
~Fig4
  An artificially .with lateral motion  at the  ankle joint,  will  bear  a stumn nf
greater length, with comfort to the patient, than one which has  no literal Til
at the ankle   The testimony of those who'have undergone re ami atoniTtlTt
with a very long stump and an artificial leg which  had no lateral m Sou at  \hl
ankle they suffered much more from the cramping and prying of the™tnmn n      t
the sides of the leg when they stepped on any unfven su fac? than thev  SiH^
re-amputation, with a stumD of less leno-th   TW fW nJA.' •    .•   y„ dul  i,fter
and middle third of the tiZ°g>« .^P oJt ^cflenShKS a"  v* ^
to the patient, is important in this connection.   Then from this  point »h  * ^^
should not recede unless  compelled by  necessity.   HT should S,(  '"^T
until driven to the knee joint.  But he should never  c^eraHhrom"h tt t"*** •' • CJ
as nothmg is gained by it while much  is lost, becauseThe end  ofthe fenT,?;10'" I
occupy space which is needed for the construction of an artificial knee joint  T 
29
 an artificial joint has and can be made in this case, but not near  as  durable  and
 comely as when the condyles of the femur are removed.   The size of  the condyles
 makes the end of the stump too large, and the same objection arises as in " Syme'a
 operation."
   If the femur is sawn through just above the condyles, the stump assumes  a coni-
 cal form, and the end of the bone no longer presents any obstacle to the construction
 of an artificial joint of the most modern improvement.  T' en for amputation of the
 thigh, the  point of  election is just above the condyles of the femur.  (Seepoint in-
 dicated on  thigh, cut Pig. 4.)  From this point upward the surgeon should  contest
 every inch with redoubled vigor.   And  the higher compelled to go, the greater the
 value of every item of femur saved.

                                -----*-44»*-«-----

                        KIND   OP   OPERATION.

   In the use of artificial legs no weight  is ever taken on the  end of the stump, in
 fact nothing is allowed to touch the end of the stump.   But on  the  sides it is  just
 the reverse.   The artificial leg encases the stump, and more or less pressure is taken
 on all sides, particularly anteriorly and posteriorly.  The stump is used as a lever
 to operate the artificial leg, and at every step there is considerable pressure on the
 anterior surface in  carrying the leg forward, and then it is transferred to the poste-
 rior surface, just as  the weight of the body is being carried forward on  to the leg.
i Thus there is  a pressure alternately on these two surfaces  at every step.  Besides
 this, with a leg in which there is no lateral motion at the ankle joint, there is more
 or  less cramping and prying of the  stump against the sides  of the  artificial leg
 whenever the foot is placed on an inclined plane, or one side happens to be placed
 on any inequality, such as a stick or stone, or uneven ground of any kind.  Now as
 the cicatrix is always tender and sensitive, it becomes  necessary that, in  amputa-
 ting the lower extremities, the surgeon should choose the  kind of operation  which
 will best protect the stump on all sides, particularly the anterior and po-terior.
   The operation  which fulfills these indications best, is the double flap, the flaps
 being antero-posterior.  (See dotted lines on cut, Fig. 4.)
   If the flaps are taken from the antero-posterior surfaces, they lap over  the  end
 of the bone or bones, and protect the edges by means of sound, healthy integument
 in all cases, and in  many by a cushion of muscle.   This brings  the cicatrix across
 the end of the stump where nothing can touch or injure it when wearing an artifi-
 cial leg.   Very small portions  of the cicatrix may in some  cases pass  up  on the
 sides laterally, but not enough to be of any account in the use of an  artificial leg
. with lateral motion at the ankle joint, as that prevents  all lateral cramping or pry-
 ing against the sides of the stump.
   The single flap i peration is decidedly  bad, because it often, if not always, brings
 the cicatrix just across the  edge of the  bone, where from its sensitiveness  it se-
■ riously interferes with the use of an artificial leg.
'   The circular operation would, at first  sight, appear to fulfill every indication, as
 it is alike on all sides, but unfortunately, instead of protecting all sides, it is  really
 just the reverse.  As soon as the weight of the body is  placed upon the stump with
 a circular operation, the whole muscular covering,  with the integument, glides up-
 ward in a body •  the end of the bone or bones protrude beneath, covered by a  thin
 cicatrix only, and instead of being protected on all sides  are  really protected on
 neither  Thus it is seen that the antero-posterior flap operation is the operation, to
 be performed, whenever the surgeon has the privilege of  choosing 
                                     30

     SPECIAL  INSTRUCTIONS  TO  THOSE WANTING  LIMBS.

                        HO"W TO PROCEED.

              LOCATION OF  OFFICES AND  MANUFACTORIES.

   The greatest recommendation of all that can be given, is the rapidity with which
 this Leg has gone into use and the eagerness with which it is  sought for.   Though
 but a recent invention, it is now in use in  eighteen States, one  Territory,  Canada,
 England and France ; and still more would now be in use had my facilities for man-
 ufacturing been eqnal to the demand.  For the last year patients have had  to tako
 their turns, and some of them have been obliged to wait four months   And yet 1
 have had six  men constantly employed, and most of the time doing all the over
 work they were able to.
   To meet this demand, and to relieve myself of the importunities of those who
 are waiting, and think from peculiarities of their cases that their legs  ought fo  be
 made first, I have opened an Office and Manufactory in the Ohio Mechanic's Insti-
 tute, adjoining the Medical College, in Cincinnati, 0.   With the addition of this new
 and extensive establishment, I hope and trust that I shall be able to supply promptly,
 all who want anything of the kind.
   The  above was  written in May, 1861.   And now, May, 1862, the  demand has
 again outgrown all my facilities, for manufacturing, and I have been obliged to open
 still another office and manufactory.  This one is located at No. f4S Broadway, N.
 Y.   With this increase of facilities, I again hope I may be  able to meet the demand.

                        HOW  TO PROCEED.
  fl^f" The stump should be tightly bandaged until an Artificial Leg is procured,
 and the remaining joints should be moved more or less every day.
  To insure a perfect fit,  every patient will be  required to come to. one of the man-
ufactories when the Lep; is party made, and have it fitted.  They will be detained
only two or three  days.  Before coming, each  should write, stating  the case, and a
blank for measurements will be sent.  The blank should  be filled and returned, and
when the Leg is partly made, the patient will be notified to come and have it fitted.
  Surgeons and patients may rest  assured that  all cases where sloughing or con-
traction has taken place, and  all  irregular  and anomalous cases may be intrusted
to Dr. Bly.  For ten years Dr. Bly has been a practicising physician  and surgeon.
He graduated at the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and afterwards entered
the Ecole de Medecine in Paris, where he sjent a year, and  then, after visiting the
principal European Hospitals, he returned to this country and taught Anatomy for
Beven years.

  RECAPITULATION  OF  OFFICES AND MANUFACTORIES AND THEIR
                                LOCATION.

  They are all located so as to be very easy for strangers to find them.   The  New
York office is at No. "H& Broadway.   The  Rochester office is  over the Post office,
and the Cincinnati office is in the Ohio Mechanics  Institute, adjoining the Medical
College, corner of Sixth and Vine streets.
  For prices, or further information, address

                                   DOUGLAS  BLY,  M. D.,
                                               either
                                        No. f4€-Broadway, New York,
                                                     or
                                              Rochester,  N.  Y.,
                                                     or
                                               Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 
              BRAITHWAITE'S  RETROSPECT:

                    A HALF YEARLY JOURNAL OF


PRACTICAL   MEDICINE   AND   SUKGERY,

                               containing a

      Retrospective view of every Discovery and Practical Improvement in the
              Medical Sciences, digested frorm^the leading Medical
                     Journals of Europe and America.

  This invaluable  compendium which was commenced in 1840,  is issued simultft'
neously with the London Kdition, by virtue of an arrangement entered into with its
distinguished editor, and appears regularly in January and July of each year.
  The peculiar excellence of the " Retrospect" consists in the fact that it embodies
in a confined space, after careful perusal, all the cream of all the Medical periodicals,
—preserving all the essentially practical articles of discovery and improvement,
The great advantage offered to practitioners by this method is the saving them time,
labor, and money.  It constitutes a condensed register of medical  facts and observa-
tions lor the past year, and presents a complete retrospect of all that  is valuable
and worth possessing, gleaned from the current Medical Literature of the time, in-
cluding the  transactions of the different Societies and Associations in Europe  and
America, preserved in as condensed form as possible, and generally in the words of
the respective authors.
  This admirable digest enjoys, throughout the world, a higher fame in its depart-
ment, and has a more extensive patronage than any other Medical Journal extant.
The political derangements existing here during the last six months, have necessarily
greatly reduced its former regular circulation in this country, and in proportion to
such reduction increased the cost of manufacture, which has obliged the Publisher
to advance the price on single parts ; but even after  this triiling addition the terms
offered are  more liberal than those of any other periodical.  It will be seen below,
that the original price for back parts remains the same, and to annual subscribers the
terms are unchanged.
                       Terms of Publication:
  $2.00 per annum, invariably in advance;  Single Parts, $1.25 each.  The  back
numbers, or complete sets, can be had at the following original prices, free of postage:
  44 Parts, bound in ao vols., sheep, library style, $40.00, delivered free of expense
to any point in the United States accessible by express, except California and Oregon,
  Va'rts I. to XII..........5o cts. each. I Parts XXIII. to XLIII___$1.00 each.
  Par s XIII. to XXII.....75 cts. each. | Parts XLIV. and after,___1.25 each.
           Uniform bound volumes (containing two parts), $2.50 each.

                    Notice to New Subscribers.
  jj. B.—A Key for the Medical Profession.—A complete Alphabetical Index,
from Parts I. to XXXIV"., embracing the whole 17 years' republication from  1840
to 1857,  will be mailed to any address, postage prepaid, on the receipt of 50 cents.

                Inducement to Annual Subscribers.

  gST On the receipt of  $3.00, Braitiiwaite  one  year, and  the
Physician's Hand-Book, revised for 18G2, free of postage.
  * * The Publisher will  be responsible for all funds current at New York, remitted
in registered letters.
  Communications should be addressed to

                     H. A. T0WNSEND,39 Walker St., N. Y.,
Publisher and Proprietor of Braithwaitc1 s Retrospect. 
THE
BOSTON MEDICAL  &  SURGICAL JOURNAL
ESTABLISHED  IN"   1828.
  This Journal Is now the only periodical devoted to Medical Science In New England, andMs one of the
 few in the country which have survived the shock occasioned by our present national troubles.  Its
 first volume was published in the year 1828, when it took the place of the Boston Medical iNThLUOKN-
•cbr, which was the first weekly Medical Journal published in the United StaVs.  During most of the
 time since then, there has been no other weekly medical publication in the country, lhe  work early
 met with general favor among the profession, and in its volumes will be found valuable contributions
 from prominent members  of the Faculty in every part of the Union. A general record has also been
 kept in its pages of all passing events which were at the time of interest to physicians;  and the whole
 ieries contains the medical history of the time, and shows the progress which has been made in Medi-
 cine and Surgery, and their kindred sciences, during the third of a century.  Its editorial management
 Is now in the hands of F  E. Oliver. M. D., formerly Secretary of the Boston Society for Medical Im-
 provement, and S. L. Abbot, M. V.. one of the Physicians of the  Mass. General Hospital. Many of the
 leading physicians of Boston, as well as of other places, likewise furnish contributions. A. series or
 Lectures on General Therapeutics, by Prof. John Warr, is now in course of publication. The Medical
 and Surgical Reports made to the Boston Society for Medical Improvement, are  published in the Jour-
 nal, and also the more interesting of the cases and reports furnished  to other Medical Associations In
 Boston and its vicinity.  Since the commencement of the war, the correspondence from the U.S. Army
 and Naval Surgeons lias been extensive, and this n«w constitutes a  feature of the  work which will be
 found of much interest and value.  The general contents of each volume though mainly of a practical
 character, are Intended to be sufficiently varied to make its weekly visits interesting as well as useful to
 the medical practitioner.                                          ....     ™t
  The 66th volume of the work commenced on the 1st of February, 1862.  It is published every Thursday,
 each number containing twenty pages of reading matter, besides advertisements  with one or more
 extra sheets when required.  There are two volumes in a year.  A monthly series is issued  for  distant
 subscribers and others who may prefer it to the weekly,                            .
  The price is *3 a year, payable in advance. Previous numbers of the current volume furnished, and
 back volumes supplied at a liberal discount  Orders by mail, enclosing subscription money, will receive
 Immediate attention.

                                  DAVID CLAPP,   Publisher,

   Boston, April, 1882.                          334 Washington  Street, Boston.
                                    THE


   AMERICAN    MEDICAL   TIMES,

   Is published  every  Saturday morning,  in quarto form, twenty-four
pages, double columns, with clear type, and on fine paper.   Each  num-
ber  contains  Original Lectures and Papers, Reports of Hospitals and
Societies,  Editorials,  Reviews, Reports on the Progress of  Medical  Sci-
ences, General, Foreign and Domestic Correspondence, Army and Navy,
Medical News,  &c.   It makes two annual volumes,  each  consistino- of
over 600 pages.
   The  volumes  commence  regularly on the  first of January and July,
but  subscriptions  may begin at  any  date.   Subscribers who desire to
have the  series  complete,  may, for the present, be  supplied with the
back numbers.  The publication commenced July 1, 1860.
   Specimen copies sent on  application.

             ,.3.00 a Year, in Advance.
TERMS, i A
             $3.50      "          "      City & Canadian Subscribers.
BAILLIERE   BROTHERS,
    Publishers and  Ir*ropriotort»,
                   440 Broadway, New York. 
 
 
 

*&#&#