Artificial left leg, London, England, 1861-1920

Made:
1861-1920 in London
maker:
William Robert Grossmith
Artificial left for amputation at the knee, by R W Grossmith Artificial left for amputation at the knee, by R W Grossmith Artificial left for amputation at the knee, by R W Grossmith

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Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Creative Commons LicenseThis image is released under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 Licence

Buy this image as a print 

Buy

License this image for commercial use at Science and Society Picture Library

License

Artificial left for amputation at the knee, by R W Grossmith
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Artificial left for amputation at the knee, by R W Grossmith
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Artificial left for amputation at the knee, by R W Grossmith
Science Museum Group Collection
© The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum

Artificial left for amputation at knee, by W.R. Grossmith, 1861-1920

Someone who had their left leg amputated on the knee joint used this artificial leg. The leather corset secures the prosthesis to the thigh. It is perforated so the wearer will not get too hot. Inside the calf is a v-shaped metal bar attached to a spring. This prevents the wearer falling forward yet allows them to walk with comfort. The ankle and knee joints are lockable. The toes are made of flexible leather.

William Robert Grossmith’s company made this limb. He also wrote ‘Amputations and Prosthetic Limbs’ in 1857.

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