Prosthesis, arm

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Ingenium, 2002.0873.001
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OBJECT TYPE: adult/hook/below elbow
DATE: 1900–1950
ARTIFACT NUMBER: 2002.0873.001

MANUFACTURER: Best, J.
MODEL: Unknown
LOCATION: Unknown

More Information

General Information

Serial #: N/A
Part Number: 1
Total Parts: 5
AKA: artificial arm
Patents: N/A
General Description: Medium- to dark- brown leather straps and socket; metal frame and hook [possibly iron ?], and metal buckles and other fittings; off-white woven fabric laces.

Dimensions

Note: These reflect the general size for storage and are not necessarily representative of the object's true dimensions.

Length: 56.0 cm
Width: 12.0 cm
Height: 10.0 cm
Thickness: N/A
Weight: N/A
Diameter: N/A
Volume: N/A

Lexicon

Group: Medical Technology
Category: Assistive technologies
Sub-Category: N/A

Manufacturer

AKA: Best
Country: Unknown
State/Province: Unknown
City: Unknown

Context

Country: Unknown
State/Province: Unknown
Period: This example possibly used c, 1920s- 1950s; possibly also used later.
Canada: Part of a large collection of medical artifacts, archival material & trade literature transferred to CSTM in 2002 from the former History of Medicine Museum, Toronto, ON.
Function: To permit wearer some degree of functionality for missing limb; specifically, the lower portion of the arm.
Technical: Arm prosthesis fitted with hook or closed ring was more durable, and provided greater practical functionality for amputees than artificial limbs intended to mimic appearance of natural form. Hook [or ring] preferred by many because it allowed wearer to lift or carry, and to support a handle or shaft. Fewer early arm prothesis have survived [as compared to lower limb prosthesis] because they tended to be simpler devices, repaired and modified for use, and dismantled for useful parts or simply discarded when worn-out beyond repair. Upper limb prosthesis also tended to be more expensive and less easy to fit and use, and many amputees elected to pin closed an empty sleeve if simple cosmetic appearance was a deciding factor.
Area Notes: Unknown

Details

Markings: "J. BEST" stamped into long bars of frame; "01" stamped into lower-most leather strap used to secure prosthesis to arm.
Missing: None.
Finish: Medium- to dark- brown leather straps and socket; metal frame and hook [possibly iron ?], and metal buckles and other fittings; off-white woven fabric laces.
Decoration: N/A

CITE THIS OBJECT

If you choose to share our information about this collection object, please cite:

Best, J., Prosthesis, arm, circa 1900–1950, Artifact no. 2002.0873, Ingenium – Canada’s Museums of Science and Innovation, http://collection.ingeniumcanada.org/en/id/2002.0873.001/

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