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Manual of Artificial Limbs
A.A. Marks' classic turn-of-the-nineteenth century publication is my all-time favorite prosthetic book, and I have read it cover-to-cover many times over the years. Special thanks to Ted Trower CPO for obtaining permission and providing the funding for putting this historic resource on the Internet.
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This fascinating book about prostheses of the 1900s is now available online.
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A.A. Marks was a phenomenally successful practitioner whose New York City offices grew from humble Civil War beginnings into the world's largest prosthetic facilities. He published this hard cover book privately and distributed it widely to publicize what "modern" prostheses could offer. It was reprinted many times around the turn of the century and copies in good condition still turn up at rare bookstores for about $50. Amazon.com often has a few copies for sale; go to www.amazon.com and type in the title to see what's available.
Marks' daughter was Mary Dorsch CP, the first female ABC Certified practitioner in the United States, and an important pioneer and leader in the field. His granddaughter, Marita Dorsch Carozza CP, is an energetic leader in the New York Academy chapter who is in private practice in the New York city area.
Mark's treatise is noteworthy for its candor as well as the numerous illustrations that depict the state of the art around 1900. The parallels between prostheses then and now is striking, as this brief excerpt about Marks' Rubber Foot illustrates:
THE RUBBER FOOT. - With an experience of eight years in manufacturing artificial legs with wood feet, articulating at the toes and ankles, A. A. Marks in 1861 invented the sponge rubber foot hereinafter described, to protect which the United States Government issued letters patent in 1863. Like all great inventions it passed through various stages of development.
The perfected form consists of a wooden core, carved to size and shape to secure the best results. The faint lines in Cut B 1 represent the core, which reaches to the ball of the foot, localizing the toe movement. The distance from the core to the floor at the heel is considerably greater than at any other part; this is done to obtain the proper degree of compressibility at the heel; the core is entirely surrounded with sponge rubber of great porosity which will yield under the weight of the wearer sufficiently to make the step realistic. Less rubber is placed at the ball so as to provide phalangeal support and make the wearer feel that there is a supporting medium at the front of the foot; ample, to steady him when standing, to keep him from limping, and to act as a lever to urge him forward when walking.
Click on www.amputee.com/book/index.html to read more from this fascinating publication.
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Is there a spanish orthotic/prosthetic dictionary?
Hi! I work in the Orthotic and Prosthetic Center at the University of California in San Francisco, and I do alot of translating for the patients. Well its really hard for me to translate when I dont know alot of the medical jargon.I've done... read more
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Re: Is there a spanish orthotic/prosthetic dictionary?
I'm not aware of a specialized O&P dictionary, but maybe one of our readers will be able to help you out. Many of our terms are found in a standard medical dictionary, so that might be a good start. You might browse through the two lower ... read more
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Information needed
I am doing voluntary work in India. A 9 yr old boy has been brought to my attention. He lost both his arms 2 yrs ago. The amputations were carried out very high up and one clinic we contacted has said that for this reason he can not have... read more
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Re: Information needed
It is impossible to make a specific assessment based on such limited information. But, high level bilateral fittings are always a challenge, even under the best of circumstances. Close long-term follow-up is mandatory for practical succes... read more
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Re: Re: Information needed
If I sent you a photo by e-mail would that be helpful. We helped another boy from the same region last year who had both lower arms amputated and he is doing splendily - I don't want to get this youngsters hopes up by dragging him round In... read more
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Re: Re: Re: Information needed
A photo will not add sufficient information to allow a more specific evaluation, but thanks for the offer. Bilateral transradial loss is far easier to manage prosthetically than bilateral loss near the shoulder, and therefore has a better ... read more
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"Primer Encuentro Hispanoamericano de Sociedades de Ortesistas y Protesista
Estimado John Michael C. P. O. FAAOP:
le enviamos un afectuoso saludo desde la Ciudad de México y aprovechamos este espacio para anunciar el evento organizado por el Comité Latinoamericano de Educación en Ortésis y Prótesis, el cual se rea... read more
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Re: "Primer Encuentro Hispanoamericano de Sociedades de Ortesistas y Protesista
Thank you for announcing this important meeting in El Salvador, being held next month. Regrettably, a prior commitment will preclude my attendence. This week-long conference, sponsored by ISPO, should be the next major step to enhance the... read more
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would like info
To whom it may concern
My father inlaw lost is leg 20 yrs. ago and has been on crutches ever since. He has learned to live and function very well. But over the years his shoulders have taken the brunt of the punishment and have now st... read more
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Re: would like info
Hi Crystal-
It's impossible to answer your questions accurately without examining your father-in-law and talking with him in person. You can go to www.opoffice.org, click on the "Patients": button, then "Directory" and find a list of al... read more
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O and P reference books
Thanks for your reading list. It is a big help to know what is available. About a year and a half ago I purchased the book Orthotics and Prosthetics in Rehabilitation by Michelle M. Lusardi and Caroline C. Nielsen, Butterworth-Heinemann p... read more
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Re: O and P reference books
Thanks Tim- I contributed a chapter to that text too. I'll reread it again and see if it should be added to the short list of references; it is certainly a good source for information. By the way, next month's Corner will announce that th... read more
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Industry Data
Hi!
I'm presently searching some informations on the podiatric industry, such as the number of foot Orthotic Laboratory, annual manufactrued orthosis, etc.
There is somebody who know where I can have these such of stats?
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Re: Industry Data
Short answer: it's not available. Because most US firms are privately owned, their sales information is proprietary; only public firms must publish their data. So, for prostheses or orthoses, it is virtually impossible to do more than make ... read more
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No se encuentra la página "SMOPAC ¿Una Nueva Era?
Ciudad de México 29 de diciembre 2001
Estimado John Michael C.P.O. le enviamos un afectuoso saludo y aprovechamos para preguntarle como ingresar a su artículo sobre El Seminario del 8 de diciembre celebrado en el Holiay Inn Plaza Dali.
... read more
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Re: No se encuentra la página "SMOPAC ¿Una Nueva Era?
Hello Alberto-
Perhaps there was a glitch in the Internet? So far as I can tell, the posted article is correct, in both the Spanish and English versions. Very best wishes for a Happy New Year!
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Que sucedió con la Esquina de Febrero?
Ciudad de México 5 de Febrero, 2002.
Estimado John Michael C. P. O.
el encabezado de su Esquina de John Michael señala el mes de Febrero, pero el contenido es de Enero. Existirá algún problema en O & P Digital Technologies?
Gracias y le... read more
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