346m 1865 B> M A R K S' a 3* PATKVT 41OTf $€$&& 1111 WITH INDIA RUBBER K-A.3ST3DS -A-HSTID FEET OFFICE AND MANUFACTORY. No. 575 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY, DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL. COMMISSIONED By the Surgeon-General of the United States Army to furnish Artificial Limbs to Soldiers, Free of Charge, in accordance with the recommendations of a Board of Medical Officers WILLIAM B. SMYTH, JOB AND CARD PRINTER, 4 XEW CHAMBERS STREET. 18«:>. Jr. A M A R K S' PATENT WITH INDIA RUBBER H A. JST ID S J^JSTJD FEET. OFFICE AND MANUFACTORY, No. 575 BROADWAY, NEW YORK CITY, DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE METROPOLITAN HOTEL. COMMISSIONED By the Surgeon-General of the United States Army to furnish Artificial Limbs to Soldiers, Free of Charge, in accordance with the recommendations of a Board of Medical Officers g $ w || 0 t J>: WILLIAM B. SMYTn, JOB AND CARD PRINTER, 4 NEW CHAMBERS STREET. INC.-). WE 6,1 TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: My views of the requirements of an Artificial Leg are, first, ease and comfort in walking. Second, a natural motion, lightness, elasticity and stillness, combined with a graceful step. Third, reliance, stability, firmness and durability. In all these respects I claim that my Artificial Legs, with my patented India Rubber Foot, are pre- eminent. The leg is, in the first place, made to fit the stump so perfectly as to give the greatest ease and comfort to the wearer, while it operates with perfect freedom, firmness and elasticity. Thus all of these indispensable objects are attained, without that com- plicated mass of machinery resorted to in other Ar- tificial legs. In fact, there is no machinery what- ever (that is what is usually called machinery). This fact makes the leg unequalled in point of durability by any similar invention yet presented to the public. In giving a description of my legs it does not require a mass of words, nor a complicated descrip- tion of them to make the most ordinary mind 4 realize and appreciate their intrinsic value, and the process by which I was led to adopt and de- velop my late inventions. Their various and many advantages over all others now in use will be ap- parent when the following facts are fully weighed. It has been well understood among all inventors and manufacturers of Artificial Legs that there was something required to improve the foot and ankle, and give more universal and less direct motion. This was needed to obviate that jerking, clapping, snapping and rattling noise, and unnatural and ex- ceedingly unpleasant sound, both to wearers and others, so frequently heard, and by which Artificial Leg wearers might be heard and observed from other persons at some distance in the street or moving about the house. Some have sought the removal of this difficulty in one way and some others, but most inventors have, in trying to avoid the difficulty, but added to it, for in trying to get rid of machinery they have actually added at least twice as much/ And the reason is obvious. To make one spring work another has been added. To make this cord counteract one, more must help it or oppose it, the inventor not stopping to think that every additional cord, spring, joint, or con- trivance but increases the difficulties, adds to the already enormous complications, weakens the limb, and renders the invention liable to greater objec- tions, without accomplishing any advantages what- ever. 5 In these statements I firmly believe I express the views of a large number of inventors. At all events, I know I give my own experience, having been engaged in this calling of giving relief to mu- tilated sufferers for over twelve years, and having been also employed most of my life in mechanical con- structions of a nature preparing me more fully to real- ize the necessities of a good Artificial Limb. I feel, therefore., that my labor has been well bestowed in thus being able to give to the unfortunate an Arti- ficial Limb accomplishing every required movement and all the essentials to make the most life-like, light, easy and durable leg ever given to the public, while, at the same time it is free from all cumbrous machinery. It is the ne plus ultra of Artificial Limbs now in use, as all impartial examiners have declared. The India Rubber Foot is the base of the whole structure, and although it is elastic, springy and light, it is also the most reliable, firm and substantial foundation that ever a poor limbless person stood or walked upon. This I assert without fear of success- ful contradiction. When 1 first invented and applied my Rubber Foot to the Artificial Leg I did not think it would be suitable for the delicate and weak of the female sex. It was intended more especially for the hard-working mechanic, the farmer, and the male sex generally, whose lives demand toil, energy and constant exer- 6 tion. But in this I was most agreeably disappointed. »• To my own surprise and gratification, I soon found it was equally well adapted to their wants as to any others'. Nay, more, it was just the thing for the most tender, delicate and fastidious lady in the land ; and their joy and gratitude in its use, in being able to move about the house or in the streets with facility, ease and symmetry of motion, without noise or un- pleasant observation, has been expressed to me in a great number of instances—a sentiment always in- valuable to the reliever of human sufferings, and no small reward of the anxious care and toil of a public servant. With regard to the improvements derived from my invention, I refer to the statements of both ladies and gentlemen in another part of this work. Their testimony is from actual experience, and needs no comment. A word to those who have used and are now wearing the old kinds, with the movable, clattering ankle joints: Is not your step in your parlorsc^^" times taken for a squeaky, broken-down chair, or a rat or a mouse in some intruding corner of the build- ing ? Are you not, while walking in the street, sometimes taken for a wheelbarrow crying for grease, and does not your step resemble the clatter of an old shoe with the sole loose and too large for the foot ? Is it not a gain to get rid of those annoying append- ages and to be relieved the expense and trouble attending them ? 7 My patent Rubber Foot most assuredly obviates all these difficulties. I have applied them to a great number of other makers' legs beside my own, many where the leg was new, and more where they were sound enough, a«£l except where the jsprings or cords were so worn out or broken, ^lave succeeded in making the old leg as good, and in fact much better in many cases than a new one of that kind. I would not state, nor have it inferred from what has been here said, that my leg will last always, under all kinds of rough usage, but this I do say, that it will outlast two of any other kind now in use (that are fit to use), and that when it does need repairs—and what tbing earthly will last always—it will cost less and be always less troublesome than any other Artificial Limbs I know of. Nay, more, it will not cost you half as much to repair the leg with a new foot as it does to keep the other legs in repairs for six months. For the arms and hands I do not claim that amount of usefulness that is demanded for the legs and feet. They are, however, simple in construc- tion, and in my judgment as useful as any hand now can be made; and where amputation has taken place below the elbow, and the person using it is required to labor, the hand is readily removed, and a hook put in its place, while its replacement, when needed, is as easily effected. You will find a very correct description of my inventions, with suitable cuts illustrating these limbs, in this work, which have been recently published in the Scientific Ameri- can, a copy of which I herewith publish in this pamphlet:— s ARTIFICIAL LIMBS. The engravings published herewith represent Artificial Limbs which have novel features not here- tofore obtained in them. India rubber is largely used in their construction, the feet and hands par- ticularly being constructed of this substance. M0.1 &X. No. 1 presents a full-length leg standing erect, 9 to be applied in all cases where amputation occurs above the knee joint. tiy.i No. 2 represents a leg to be applied where the leg has been amputated below the knee joint, and the stump is flexible enough and sufficiently long to enable ithe wearer to use it in walking. It also 10 represents the leg with the heel compressed, and in its position after taking the step, and when firmly planted on the ground. lia. 3 No. 3 is termed a knee bearing leg. It is to be applied where amputation takes place below the knee, and where the stump is too short or contracted 11 M?. 5. at right angles, so the knee joint cannot be used in walking. This figure represents the leg slightly bent at the knee, and bearing well upon the toe, as in the act of lifting it to take the next advance step. No. 4 is a view of the India-rubber foot before being applied to the leg. This rubber foot constitutes the main fea- ture in the legs shown in the figures. It is made mostly of India- rubber of a very spongy, light and elastic charac- ter. A piece of willow wood, nearly filling the rubber heel at the top or surface, where the leg rests runs down about one-fourth of the distance towards the lower part of the heel; also forward and down- wards to the joint at the ball of the foot, as shown by the dotted "TnbTpiece of wood is the base upon which the foot is built, and is also the medium whereby the foot is joined firmly to the leg. The leg itself is made of light, tough willow in all cases, except the thigh piece shown in figure 2, and the front part of the thigh piece in figure 3, which are both made of leather The entire leg and foot in all cases is covered with fine buckskin, neatly coated with a hfe-like, water-proof finish, making it both light and strong. It will be seen that there are no movable ankll-joints in these limbs, the necessity for which being entirely obviated by the Elastic Rubber Foot, 12 which gives all the motion required in walking, and also the ease, firmness, elasticity and reliance abso- lutely necessary in a perfect Artificial Leg. It would seem at first sight that no one could walk well on any Artificial Leg without the moving, flapping ankle-joint, but practice proves this to be erroneous. The Rubber Foot also gives all the required lateral motion to the foot when stepping upon sidling or uneven ground. This leg dispenses with all ma- chinery of whatever character, and has been in use for the last two years, giving great satisfaction. Figure 5 gives a rear view of the knee joint of the long leg (Figure 1). The T joint is fastened to the upper part or thigh piece of the leg, and the gudgeons of the T are held in adjustable, oblique boxes, which are easily set at any time by the screws passing through the caps into the main leg, so as to keep the joint to work tight and still, yet free and perfectly flexible, the small projecting bar attached to the T with the button-shaped ball operating upon the spiral spring, so as to throw the foot forward when bent in walking, and so as to hold the foot under when bent at right angles in a sitting position. This feature has been secured by a separate patent, dated March 7, 1865. Figure 6 shows a Rubber Hand, made same as the foot, of which there cannot be as much said as of the other inventions. It corresponds, however, with the others in its characteristic features of sim- plicity and durability, and wholly dispenses with machinery, giving a softness to the feeling and an 13 elasticity which is very desirable. It is as useful as any hand yet invented, which is not probably saying much in its favor, as no art yet shown, if it ever will, can compare with "nature's handiwork." A patent for this hand has also been obtained, as in fact have all of them, through the Scientific Ameri- can Patent Agency. These inventions have caused a great change for the better in the appearances, as well as usefulness to those who have lost natural limbs, and must give great relief to the maimed. The inventions, in dispensing with so much machinery, reduce the expenses of repairs very greatly, as there is no complicated gearing to get so often out of or- der. You see no part of the cuts representing the inside working of the leg, because there is none there to be exhibited, except the lower part of the knee spring, operating as described in Figure 5. The limbs are, of course, hollow in all cases, to render them light, as well as adaptable to covering and sup- porting the stumps they enclose and sustain. 14 The following letters are from persons who are wearing my Patent India Rubber Feet, either ap- plied to my Patent Legs, as I now make and have made them for the last three years, or where applied to Artificial Legs of other makers beside my own. Every one of them have used other kinds, with the ankle-joints, &c, and now bear testimony from actual practical experience of the great superiority of my Patent Foot. I ask you to read them, and then judge for yourself of their merits. A. A. MARKS. (ABOVE KNEE JOINT.) New York, February 28th, 1865. Mr. Marks :— Dear Sir:—I have used Artificial Legs of various kinds for over twenty years, and flatter myself that I ought to be a good judge concerning all the requirements connected therewith. After using your Artificial Leg, with your Patent Rubber Foot attached, for some six months, I take much pleasure in giving my testimony of the great merits thereof. In point of excellence it far exceeds my anticipations, and you are fully aware that they were not under- rated when I first had my attention called to it. The first great advantage is, that I walk much easier, far better and more natural in every way than with the other legs which I used. I feel safer, and am relieved from that constant care in walking that always troubled me here- tofore. It is, in fact a relief that I never expected to obtain in any Artificial Leg. My very short stump (only four inches above the knee) prevents me walking as well as those with a better stump; but this leg seems so much lighter and always so reliable that I cannot well communicate the high esti- mation in which I hold your new leg with the Rubber Foot. It needs but to be known to be adopted by all sensible people who require Artificial Legs. I would no more think of exchanging this leg for any other that I ever saw than I would of having my sound leg amputated for the purpose of applying this. Yours &c, F. E. Worcester, No. 337 Pearl Street, N. V. (ABOVE KNEE JOINT.) ITxpted States Hotel, Scranton, Pa., March 1st, 1865. Dear Sir :—It is now over four years since I commenced wearing the Artificial Leg you made me, and one year ago you applied the Patent Rubber Foot to it, and I will say that it has given the best of satisfaction. I like it very much. It relieves me from all care and attention about the foot, and makes me walk much better and easier than before. I fully appreciate the improve- ment, and as I now have my growth, shall soon order a new one of your best legs, with all the late patents. Yours truly, R. Bury, Jr., To A. A. Marks. 575 Broadway, N. Y. Scranton. Penn. 15 (ABOVE KNEE JOINT.) New York, April 1st, 1865. Mr. A. A. Marks :— Dear Sir :—My eleven years' experience in wearing an Artificial Leg above the knee has, together with careful observation in examining the various kinds, placed me in a position to speak with knowledge and confidence of your recent improvements. I allude to your patent India Rubber Foot and also adjustable and easy accessable knee joint, having worn it for the last year or upwards, with the gratifying assurance of their superior advantages over anything of the kind I have ever seen. No one can fail to recommend it after once giving it a trial. Success to your enterprise. A. Sturtevant, Commission Merchant, 52 South street. (ABOVE KNEE JOINT.) New York, March 29, 1365. Mr. A. A. Marks :— Dear Sir :—It gives me the utmost satisfaction to state that your patent leg and patent foot have met my fullest expectations. I have worn an Arti- ficial Leg and Foot for upwards of twenty years, and found yours beyond comparison the best, and I have used it under the utmost disadvantages, as mv stump is but four inches long. One of its merits is that it completely protects you against falling, and makes the step firm, easy and secure by the admirable arrangement of the Elastic Foot. _ What adds to the value of your leg and foot is the perfect simplicity and strength and durability and freedom from liability of getting out of order. You are at libertv to refer those desirous of obtaining any information upon the matter to me. Your* respectfully, Joseph Trow, 129 Liberty street. (ABOVE KNEE) No. 81 West Twenty-Eighth Street, \ New York City, May 18, 1865. j Mr. A. A. Marks, 575 Broadway, N. Y.: - Dear Sir—Feeling that I owe you a great deal of thanks for your late improvement in Artificial Limbs, and the public (particularly those who are situated like myself—on the stump) an explanation, I send these few lines. First, you are aware of making me a leg in December, 1801, which the Hon Simon Cameron, then Secretary of War, presented me with, and which I presume was the first Artificial Leg worn through-cause from the late rebellion! It did me excellent service, never having been off a day since 1 S°There is a little military history attached to it: Being with the Ninth Army Co?ps from after the battle of Antietam up to the taking of Victtburg •o" md -G3) during which I walked, rode in ambulances, government wagons, ou "horle Ik and Sther back. As soon as possible I availed myself of your ZwovemZ, and got one of your Patent Elastic Feet attached to.it, and oh whatTmfference'. All that clanking, jarring noise of the aakle-jouit, with the trouble of creasing, Ac. is done away with. IwalknatSral,finn and elastic, with more ease and self-reliance than formed It? fact for utility, simplicity and durabil ty your invention is evervthm- to be desired for the maimed to assume their natural appearance ha^onry about tour and a-half inches of a stump from the hip and would av from what I hear and see, that I do better with an Artificial Leg than Zk per-sls lo situated. I am proud of your gemus -d ow-ppea- ance and don't hesitate in recommending your legs to aL in need ot tnem. ieei Tng confident that they cannot be surpassed by any now extant. & Yours, &c. John McKexzie, Late First Serg't 79th Reg't Highlanders N. Y S. N. (x. 16 (FROM A LADY WHERE AMPUTATION IS ABOVE KNEE JOINT.) Bridgewater, Coun., March 27, 1865. Mr. A. A. Marks :— Dear Sir :—With the greatest pleasure I write to you in regard to my Artificial Leg, which I have now worn constantly for a year and a half. It is a great improvement over my old one that I used before. I walk so much easier and feel a relief that was never anticipated by me before, requiring no attention, no foot springs to break, no heel cord to re- place. In fact it is the very model of simplicity and durability. The Elastic Foot enables me to walk so still and natural that none know me by the sound of my step as formerly. Your Patent Adjustable Knee Joint, together with the Rubber Foot is in my case a perfect success in every respect, and I wish you every success with it, as well for the unfortunate like myself as for your own benefit. ' Yours truly, Angeline Carpenter. (from a lady "wearing knee-bearing leg.) New York, Eebruary 18, 1865. Dear Sir :—I find by looking back that it is now nine years since you supplied me with an Artificial Limb, and over a year since you applied your Patent Rubber Foot to it, and I must say that it has given me not only the best of satisfaction, but at the same time has produced a degree of relief im- possible for me to describe in words, and I think no one can fully realize your improvements without actual experience. I am now about as careless in placing this foot in walking as I am my sound one, and feel as safe in going up and down stairs as I did before losing my natural limb ; but, added to all these advantages is the removal of that jarring, clapping and unpleasant sound of the old wooden foot, and the attention in keeping it in order. My husband is wearing one of another make, and he thinks he will have to get one from you, or a rubber foot on his old one, in order to walk with me. although he has much the advantage in facilities for using one. Yours truly, Mrs. Minna Dietze, 168 Seventh Street. (below knee.) Cochecton, Sullivan County, ) New York, March 14, 1865. j Mr. A. A. Marks :— Dear Sir :—I have worn your Patent Leg for the last year. I am well pleased with it. It has not required the least repairs. I think I can walk better with it than any leg I ever used, except the natural one. I consider your India Rubber foot a valuable improvement to Artificial Legs. Respectfully yours. W. L. Appley, M. D. (GENTLEMAN WEARING TWO BELOW KNEE.) Plainfield, N. J., March 18, 1865. Dear Sir :—After a long and thorough trial of your Patent Legs with tae Patent India Rubber feet, I feel it my duty to write you a few words in regard to their several advantages over the old ones with the movable ankle-joints, which I once considered the best there was. In the first place, 1 walk' much easier on these, which is of itself an important improvement, and I walk bet- ter (more natural), ray gait being elastic and still, none of that clump and clatter that arises in the old loose ankle-joints, with spring cords, &c., &c; and then, too, I feel that degree of reliability that was not to be found in the 17 old ones, making in all these a great change for the better. But added to these is the great expense saved in repairs, &c. The trouble of greasing and taking care of the many little things about the feet is all done away with. It is a great relief, of which I could not appreciate had I not used those of the old kind. You are at perfect liberty to refer any one to me. Tell them that I have lost both of my legs, just below the knee, one stump but 2i inches below the joint, yet walk anywhere with but one cane, and often without any, and defy any one with stumps no better than mine to walk better than I do. Yours truly, Frank Stewart, Plainfield, Union County, N J. To Mr. A. A. Marks, 575 Broadway, N. Y. (BELOW KNEE.) Brooklyn, N. Y., September 28th, 1864. Mr. A. A. Marks, 575 Broadway, N. Y.:— Dear Sir :—You inform me that you are about to publish a list of testi- monials in regard to your Patent Leg with the Patent Rubber foot, and now let me say that it is with the greatest pleasure that I accept your invitation to bear witness of what I consider the greatest improvement yet made in this line of art. It is now two years since you applied my Rubber Foot, and it has seen hard usage too, but stands the knocks first rate. My business, you are aware is very trying to an Artificial Leg (ship carpenter). Being much of the time placed in various and cramped positions, and also much in the water, enables me to test its strength and usefulness as much as any one you have wearing them. I find it far surpasses my old leg, that I have worn for some four or five years, in every respect of real merit. Its firm and elastic move- ments, together with its ever reliability, makes me so careless that I often tor- get that I have on an Artificial Leg at all, it being such a relief from the old one Of its durability, there can be no doubt but it surpasses everything yet invented : but even if it required replacing by a new one every three months I would not exchange it lor any other kind. It would then be Xeaper than many of the others. Nothing would induce me to g , back on the oWYeg so long^as this is to be had at any price. If it was no better any other way* it would be cheaper to the wearer even if you charged twice what y°UI0sha°ll 'take much pains to recommend them in all cases where I meet with brothers in this misfortune. &c Henry Ahzbcrger, Jersey City. N. J., March 12th, 1865. To all whom it may concern:— , fi ,, T Having been a soldier, and having lost my leg on the battle-field, 1 was sup preferable in every respect. Thomas Gibson. 18 uu Artificial Arms, for cases where amputation is above the elbow joint - - - 7D'UU Where below, and stump of sufficient length to use the elbow joint - - DU'UU 24 DIRECTIONS TO Persons Wishing to Purchase Limbs. Write me a full statement of your case, stating the precise (as near as convenient) point of amputa- tion, condition of stump, and time of amputation, and you will receive a blank, giving directions how to take the measures, &c. (free of charge), and any information asked for. This should be done before taking a journey to the manufactory, as in many cases the journey is avoided, by having the limb fitted from the measures without the party coming to the manufactory at all, a very desirable consideration to many where means are limited, or the distance far to travel. , Address A. A. MARKS, 575 Broadway, New York City. It is well for the patient to observe great care in treating the stump. Keep it well bandaged, in or- der to reduce the flesh as much as possible, as soon as it is healed, as it secures a better and much more permanent fitting limb, and renders it more useful and satisfactory. SOLDIERS AND SAILORS Who have lost your Legs in the service of our Country, | The United States Government have, through Con- gress, the Surgeon-General of the U. S. A. and a board of medical officers appointed for that purpose, selected my Patent Artificial Legs for your use, and author- ized me to furnish them to you free of charge, \\ should you so select; and I will here say that the. \\ o, trust shall be honored on my part. You shall be served with all the care, attention and ability Q that I can bestow upon any one, and also with as much dispatch as is possible, consistent with justice \) to all: and in cases where you are discharged and anxious to reach your homes and loved ones whom you have defended and saved, and also desirous to go home as near as possible in the manner you | left it, you shall be gratified to the fullest extent of my power, and preference shall be given to all who | are thus situated. You are respectfully invited to \l call and examine my limbs, and use your own judg- f ment of their qualities. $ A. A. MARKS, I 575 Broadway, New York. I v '-■u .'J'..,.U'OOGOgQOOC03j-JOeOt\OQ£)0!al -^fib