'Sitting socket' mounted on a toy dog, Roehampton, England, 1966

"Sitting socket" made of durestos and mounted on a toy dog. Designed for a child from 6 - 12 months of age, born with extremely short lower limbs (phocomelia). Can also be supplied for an infant with total absence of lower limbs, to enable them to sit erect and learn to maintain this posture. Made by Hanger in 1966.

Phocomelia is characterised by extremely short lower limbs. This ‘sitting socket’ was designed for a child from six to twelve months who had the condition. It helped get the child used to a sitting position. Phocomelia makes this difficult to do naturally. It also got them used to wearing artificial limbs. The child would be fitted with these later.

The socket is mounted on a toy dog. It is made of durestos. This is a type of asbestos. Asbestos is a dangerous substance which can cause fatal respiratory diseases. It was banned in the 1990s. The socket was made by Hanger Orthopaedic Group in 1966. Their workshops were at Queen Mary’s Hospital in west London.