Pair of artificial arms for a child, Roehampton, England, 1964

Pair of CO2 gas powered prostheses for a Thalidomide affected child with complete absence of upper limbs (amelia). Valves are sited over both shoulders and activated by the acromion processes. Friction shoulder and elbow joints, for passive positioning. There is a powered right split-hook and wrist rotation unit and a passive left wrist unit with a powered split-hook. Elbow flexion is achieved by means of a perlon cord passing through a pulley and attached to a waist belt. Groin straps are necessary to prevent the belt from riding upwards in a very young child. Made by Steeper 1964.

Pair of CO2 gas powered artificial arms for a child born with a virtual absence of upper limbs due to the effects of the drug thalidomide. Valves are sited over both shoulders and activated by their movements, allowing the elbow joints, wrists and split-hook hands to be moved in a number of ways. This set of arms has a powered right split-hook, with wrist rotation unit and a passive left wrist unit with a powered split-hook. Made by Steeper 1964 and issued at the Limb Fitting Centre at Queen Mary's Hospital, Roehampton, London, 1964.