'(y& " f^tf//i^) J^OtMnU^^'H THE Patent "Palmer" Arm, for the Army and Navy. CORRESPONDENCE. B. FRANK. PALMER WITH THE SURGEON-GENERAL U.S.A., AND THE BOARD OF ARMY OFFICERS. PETITION Of 300 SOLDIERS, &™ AND DECISION OF ACTING SURGEON-GENERAL BARNES. THE "PALMEK" ARM. BY GOVERNMENTAL COMMISSION. Surgeon-Artist's Office, Philadelphia, January 1, 1864. To the Mutilated Soldiers and Sailors or the U. S. Army and Navy: To those who have given an arm or leg in the service of the country, especially to the former, and to applicants by petition to the Surgeon-General for the "Palmer Arm," to supply the loss, this pamphlet is particularly addressed. At the beginning of the New Year, which has witnessed the close of a year of unmitigated effort to place before you an ac- ceptable answer to your numerous and anxious inquiries in refer- ence to your claims upon the United States Government for arti- ficial limbs, I find occasion to congratulate you upon the favorable action of the Board of Army Officers, recently convened for the purpose of selecting arms to be adopted, and it affords me pleasure to announce to you that the petition of several hundreds of your mutilated army, who asked permission to purchase the best Arm (with such aid as might be allowed,) has been granted by Acting Surgeon-General Barnes. I have received instruc- tions authorizing the manufacture. The conditions will appear in an extract from the Surgeon-General's instructions, published 4 herewith. The report of the Board and the decision of the Surgeon-General will doubtless be an acceptable New Year's salutation to you, as they afford new proof of the considerate re- gard of your claims by those to whom your interests are intrusted, and evince in an agreeable manner the beneficence of the Ameri- can Government in caring for our mutilated heroes, and in repair- ing their losses by battle. It was hoped, it is true, that enough would be allowed to obtain the best Patent Arm, but the appro- priation is somewhat limited, and the Board of Officers deemed it proper to fix the maximum allowance at $50. It is greatly to the credit of this Board that the sum recommended is double the amount allowed by the Board assembled in New York. The sol- dier is now permitted to obtain the superior "Palmer" Arm, on the very reasonable terms offered, and is entitled to $50, to aid him in the purchase. I am your very obedient servant, B. Frank. Palmer, Surgeon-Artist. OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION. Surgeon-General's Office, Washington City, D. C, Dec. 12, 1863. Sir : The Board of Medical Officers assembled in the city of Philadelphia, for the purpose of examining the different models submitted to them for an artificial arm, having reported * * * ********* jn compliance with the recom- mendation of the Board, when a soldier may desire to purchase "the more elegant and expensive arm of Palmer," fifty dollars will be allowed towards payment for the same. By order of the Acting Surgeon-General. C. H. Crane, „„..., ......,., Surgeon U. S. A. CORRESPONDENCE. Philadelphia, June 1st, 1863. My dear Stansbury: Will you do me the favor to call on Gen- eral Hammond, and say to him, that the Medical Director in New York, Dr. McDougall, has sent me a number of orders for arms, and I know not what to do with them. I thought you would do me the favor I ask, as I cannot find time to go to Washington. I have about three hundred applicants, all wishing the best limb. They propose, voluntarily, to pay a portion of the price to obtain such, not being willing to have the inferior ones, made by others, on any terms. I receive $150 each, for all I can make at present, but will give the same limb to the soldier at $100, (by large con- tract.) These soldiers have requested me to intercede for them in the matter, and I do so, assured that the Surgeon-General will cheerfully respond to their request. Fraternally yours, B. Frank. Palmer. War Department, Washington City, June 8th, 1863. My dear Palmer : I have seen the Surgeon-General. He could see no objection to your proposition, and said if I would leave your note he would write me a note to that effect. I will inclose it to you as soon as received. In haste, yours truly, Chas. F. Stansbury. Surgeon-General's Office, Washington City, D. C, June 10th, 1863. Sir : Your letter to Mr. Stansbury, and inclosed order from Medical Director McDougall, for artificial arm, is received. A board of officers has been ordered to convene in Philadelphia on the 22d inst., to examine models for artificial arms, and on the 6 reception of their report, the desired information will be forwarded you. The order is respectfully returned. By order of the Surgeon-General. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, E. S. Dunster. B. Frank. Palmer, Esq., Philadelphia, Pa. To the Board of Surgeons on Artificial Arms: Gentlemen : With your permission I will present a short paper, which will give a concise view of the subject under consideration. In May, 1846, I presented my Patent Leg to the " Committee on Science and the Arts" of the Franklin Institute, Phila- delphia. The investigation was continued until January, 1850, at which time the highest award of the Institute, the " Scott's Legacy Medal," was given. In 1851, I presented it, (in compe- tition with about 30 others,) in the World's Exhibition, London, and in 1853, at the Great Exhibition in New York. The Prize Medal was awarded for it, as being the " Best," at each of these Exhibitions. In 1851, by invitation of M. Roux, and M. Velpeau, I pre- sented my invention to the Societe" de Chirurgie of Paris. The Report was published in a series of numbers, in the Bulletin GrSneral Medicate et Chirurgicale, Paris, commencing January 15, 1860, as follows, viz.: "The Old Surgeons in their art, always knew the end which they were pursuing, and also did not hesitate to introduce, in its development, everything which could conduce to that end. Ac- cordingly, the investigation of remedies for mutilations figures in their works equally with those operations which have caused the loss of members, and that too at a time when mechanical know- ledge could only furnish the crudest attempts for this branch of surgical therapeutics. Let us take, for example, the designs fur- nished us by Ambrose Pare, the most complete of all authors, in this respect. Now that the progress of the mechanic arts has fur- nished unquestionable aid, and can produce something better, all these notions have disappeared from our medical literature. Let a surgeon be consulted in regard to the means of concealing the simplest amputation, and he knows not what to advise, for he is ignorant both of the trials which have been made, and the state of 7 art in what especially concerns this point. The surgeon is forced to send his patients for advice to the makers of artificial limbs, and to give them up to their attempts."* The above is the language of the Societe de Chirurgie, which also gave the " Palmer Limbs " the highest award, over the English and French inventions. If you ask, gentlemen, what all this has to do with supplying " Arms for American Soldiers," I reply, respectfully, as follows: The only real guaranty which the soldier can have in obtaining a false arm or leg, is found in the established reputation of the manu- facturer. The mechanism of the Patent Arm is more complex than that of the Leg, consequently, the task of constructing is more difficult. Nevertheless, I have proved that many of the principles involved in the Palmer leg are equally important in the Arm and Hand. The Leg (with 5000 in use) has stood the test of 17 years' critical inspection, in all of the principal cities of the world. The Arm and Hand have cost me more study and research, and have been as successfully and satisfactorily employed, for about six years, by a great number of persons wearing them. In October, 1862, I had an interview with Surgeon-General Hammond, in reference to the subject of the Leg. The Arm I * " I. Palmer Limb.—The first person whom I saw walking with this artificial limb was M. Palmer, the inventor of the American Limb. The talented Philadel- phian had had his leg amputated at an age when the loss of the member is less to be regretted than the ulterior consequences. Desirous of concealing his loss, he set himself to work at the construction of an artificial limb Not content with the dif- ferent models given him, and endowed with great mechanical genius, he began to look for the means of constructing an appliance which would not only conceal his loss, but enable him to walk easily. Success has crowned his efforts, for it is difficult, even when one sees M. Palmer walking, to recognize that he uses an artificial limb. In 1851, on returning from the World's Exhibition, in London, I introduced the inventor to the Society de Chirurgie, and a good number of our colleagues could not tell which limb had been amputated. I have given you the plan of this limb. Charged with the duty of making a report on the magnificent appliance, you will permit me to reserve for that work the explanation of the exceedingly simple mechanism which causes the American artificial limb to move. "A second example of the fine action of the artificial limb is furnished us by the lady of one of our brother physicians and friends of London. This case is of the greatest importance, from the fact that this lady had made use, successively, of English and French appliances, and she does not hesitate to accord the preference to the plan of Palmer.*'—Report of M. Debout, Secretary of the Societi de Chirurgie of Paris. 8 did not present. The price which the Board of Surgeons con- vened in New York recommended, ($25,) was so inadequate as to preclude the possibility of offering an Arm of suitable quality. The " best" is what every American soldier rightfully demands. Any- thing short of uthe best" is not acceptable to him, and, in my judgment, to offer any other to the mutilated hero who has gal- lantly given an Arm in defence of his Country, would wound the sensibility of the patriotic soldier. I am thus particular in defining my position, so that there may be no misapprehension on any point. I shall be very glad to serve the soldier, but cannot consent to wound him afresh by offering a pitiful counterfeit, which is more to be dreaded than the com- miseration which the absence of the member would elicit. If the entire patronage shall be awarded me I will fix the price of each limb one-fourth less-than can be done if it shall be dis- tributed. In this way the sum of $100,000 may be saved to the Government and the soldier. This can be done only by expending a large sum in labor-saving machinery. I present the Petition of a great number of soldiers, at whose request I made the appeal to the Surgeon-General, many of whom have already paid me $100 in advance, and will beg leave to ask that the sum which would now be paid for an Arm, be re- funded to them. This has been done in supplying the Leg. Several distinguished Generals, now in the Service, employ my Patent Limbs with great success, and many other officers are, by their aid, filling responsible stations, which they could not fill without them. The officers have paid $150. In supplying Artificial Legs, I am prepared to prove that many soldiers have been compelled to accept an inferior imitation, (a counterfeit,) of my Patent, against their will, and there are at this moment several soldiers in this city who positively refused to accept legs of other construction, and came to me prepared to pay for their limbs out of their own small means. The following names of Privates and Non-commissioned Officers have been presented on the Petition. The residences and regi- ments are recorded in this office. Trusting that no mutilated soldier will be compelled to accept an Arm, (from myself or any other person,) against his desire, I am, Your obedient servant, B. Frank. Palmer. Philadelphia, 22d June, 1863. PETITION TO THE SURGEON-GENERAL. We, the undersigned Soldiers, having lost Arms while in the service of the United States, respectfully request the Surgeon- General to allow us to receive from Government the Patent Arm made by B. Frank. Palmer, or, allow us the amount which would be paid to any other person for furnishing a " Government Limb," to aid us in obtaining it, so that we may elect in purchas- ing an article of standard merit, which we believe Palmer's to be. John C. Curtin, Wm. MoGinnis, Wm. Price, Robert Duffy, Hugh Murphy, George Collins, James Sullivan, John McSaulie, Lewis Selbin'g, Wm. Paetri, Wm. Peers, Patrick O'Connor, John Fahy, D. M. Glenn, John McCornie, James Gallatine, Charles Rogers, Charles Nichols, Thomas Donaghue, James Maguire, Ferdinand Howard, B. R. Smith, John Cameron, John Stewart, Wm. H. Miller, Isaac S. Ernfield, C. B. Johnson, Wm. Lambert, John Earl, John Gilbert, George Haley, Wash'n Musselman, Charles Gilbert, Daniel Burbrink, Wm. Menbrall, Richard Murphy, James A. Macauley, George W. Siass, Darius Aber, Peter Cavanagh, John Grierson, Hugh Byrnes, Joseph L. Stage, Edward McGovern, William Ellis, Edward Phillips, Henry Tetton, Chas. M. Butterfield, John H. Dingwell, James Ferns, Edwin Chanbe, James Brudfoot, Robert Hauston, Frank Woodhouse, Karl Schmerder, David C. Lombard, Aber Quitterfield, Lewis J. Carpenter, Wm. H. Bower, David F. Heasley, Robert Adams, Michael Lebkiches, G. W. Akers, R. M. Pratt, Francis Horntes, Michael Johnson, A rasmus H. Gruber, Wharton Moody, Thomas Carry, William Resides, Andrew J. Brunt, Michael Rafferty, Arch'd Hutchinson, Curtin Kelly, James Hutson, Andrew McLardy, B. Myers, S. L. Barnett, Francis C. Geisler, Wm. Cockefer, Michael Flanigen, John Burrage, Charles Burger, James Higgans, Wm. H. Morrow, Christian Viestah, Edward Kixkle, John Brick, Elmore Chisman, Thomas Numbers, George Brown, James R. Lydoc, Albert A. Dunkard, Joseph W. Detwiler, Charles Marks, James W. Shaw, Lewis Roth, Augustus Davis, John F. Browne, George W. Warner, R. A. Bain, Willard L. Cook, 10 Augustus Washburn, Robert M. Carns, Faseph Steintz, S. S. Gaston, Edwin E. Annis, Michael A. Kelly, Jesse D. White, James Lahey, Eugene Sims, M. S. Bechtel, Daniel Grubbs, Benjamin C. Cook, William Trainor, Henry Eckinroth, Henry Larke, James A. Peasb, John Kistler, John F. Finley, Thomas Wallace, Peter W. Stocksleger, James A. McCauley, James Starr, John H. Low, John Stewart, George Roe, James McGinnis, E. D. Hilts, Thomas Lehay, Philip Wall, Michael McMahon, W. F. Merriam, John N. Logan, Cornelius Strain, William Walton, George F. Cost, Ezra Warmuth, Charles W. Kinsey, Joseph Licht, Martin McCree, Philip Stricker, Philip Henry, Henry Titter, Wm. Thompson, g. w. wonderley, Joseph A. Smith, Jeremiah Behu, Dennis Mahoney, John Buck, Charles Morton, Eli Huron, Wm. J. Sulton, Robert A. Smith, Chas. M. Butterfield, M. Buckley, Charles Sands, Philip Hickey, Lorance A. Vance, Daniel S. F. Payne, Fenton Gibson, Austin Simons, Alfred C. Monroe, John D. Irwin, Jacob Wolf, Charles McCay, Andrew McClergy, Andrew Copp, Wm. R. Melden, E. E. Amies, Edwin Chance, Frank H. Durrar, George Wegman, D. F. S. Payne, Edw. D. Backenster, R. M. Pratt, James Harris, George Steinmyer, Mr. Rairam, George Haley, J. Bryson, H. Fetter. The following are among those who have paid for the Arm Wm. H. Bower, Wm. C. Ebert, Hugh Byrne, Albert Cadwallader, Harper Smith, E. D. Hurlbut, Charles D. Long, B. H. Lancaster, D. R. Page, J. L. Stage, Additional names presented: Jacob Teasher, John J. McCalve, Edward B. Sheldon, W. J. Newcombs, J. M. Griffith, Note.—Many more names have been added to the Petition, which need not be published here. John Williams, John Brady, George Hoerr, Collins McCarty, George Randall, William Holmes, Edward Morris, Franz Marks. Christian B. Krieger, Charles Demur, Edward Murphy, Charles P. Wolf. 11 Philadelphia, October 17, 1863. To the Board of Surgeons on Artificial Arms, etc. Gentlemen : I beg leave respectfully to present my Inventions for your inspection, with my Patents, and the petition of nearly three hundred soldiers, who, having lost arms in the country's service, earnestly and respectfully ask that they may be allowed to purchase my best Patent Arm, on such terms, and with such aid from Government as you may see fit to recommend. They desire none but my best, and will more willingly pay a portion of the price than accept any other. The names will be increased daily. Allow me to call your attention to my communication addressed to the Board convened on the 22d day of June last, copies of which papers I now place into your hands. Trusting that the best member will be presented to the gallant, armless soldier, by this great and beneficent Government, I am, gentlemen, Your very obedient servant, B. Frank. Palmer. Philadelphia, November 2, 1863. To the Board of Officers on Artificial Arms. Gentlemen : I inclose ten letters, all of which were written by persons wearing my Patent Arm. Not one of them was in- tended for publication. Several of the persons have worn other limbs of the most approved kinds. No such instance is found in which preference is not given to my Patent. I have given you the names and residence of a considerable number of soldiers (on the petition signed by over two hundred) for whom I have supplied arms, at their own expense, and whose testimony I have no doubt would be given in favor of my Patent. But I have never asked a person for a certificate concerning the Arm, having found so ample patronage from the moment its merits were first known as to render the usual method of advertising quite unnecessary. I supplied Major-General Howard, whose arm was ampu- tated near the shoulder, and have applied an Armor for General Wilde, whose arm was removed at the shoulder. General Howard was obliged to leave the office, to join his command, in such 12 haste, that I had no time to adjust his arm, so that to myself it has not been satisfactory. The General expressed much pleasure during the trials, and has recently written me favor- ably, informing me that he will visit me when he has an oppor- tunity, to have the arm fully adjusted. He anticipates more gratification in its use "when the war is over." So may it be. I am now making the arm for General Wilde. The Armor supplied him is a complete success, preserving his form, and protecting the sensitive parts from harm in active service. Gen- erals Howard and Wilde are both in the field,—men of whom the nation may well be proud. I have this morning finished a hand for a soldier whom I have the pleasure to present to you, to show the application. I have received for it $100, which was voluntarily offered. I informed the young man before he gave me his order that he could obtain one of another party at the expense of Government. I present a letter from the young man above alluded to, Cad- wallader, also one from a soldier, Peter W. Stocksleger, who, hav- ing been supplied with an arm which he found useless and does not wear, has placed it into your care, and ordered one of my patent. Their letters are Nos. 1 and 2. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, B. Frank. Palmer. (Letter No. 1.) Philadelphia, November 4th, 1863. To the Board of Surgeons on Artificial Arms. Gentlemen : I have purchased a Palmer Hand from the in- ventor, at the expense of $100, and am free to state that I would more willingly be subjected to the entire expense of it than to receive any other artificial limb free of charge. Nevertheless, I beg leave, respectfully, to ask that so much of the amount as in the future shall be paid for such members by the United States Government, be refunded to me, as I am a young man of very limited means. Nothing could surpass the perfection of the hand which has been supplied for me. With great respect, Your very obedient servant, * Albert Cadwallader, Co. H, 138th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. 13 (Letter No. 2.) Philadelphia, September 15th, 1863. B. Frank. Palmer, Esq. Dear Sir : I applied to you for a Patent Arm last April, but you informed me that you did not furnish them for Government, the sum paid being insufficient to enable you to make a good limb. I then determined to have one of yours even if I had to pay a portion of the price myself, but was informed that I must go to Mr.----. 1 did so, and have been furnished with a wooden mem- ber, which is wholly useless, and so unartistic and unnatural in appearance as to be a source of mortification to me, so much so, that I do not like to wear it. I desire you to make an arm for me, of your best quality, for which I will pay you. I will thank you, also, to forward the one I sent you, of Mr.----make, to the Surgeon-General, as I desire that he shall know what kind of limbs are being put on the soldiers at the expense of the United States Government, and against the desire of those who- receive them. The opinion I express is entertained by all the soldiers whom I know,—none of them being willing to accept the arm made by Mr.----. You are at liberty to forward this letter with the arm. Yours truly, Peter W. Stocksleger, Co. H, 47th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteers. (Letter No. 3.) THE FIRST PALMER HAND SUPPLIED. St. Louis, Alton and Chicago Railroad, . Auditor's Office, Bloomington, III., January 4th, 1858. B. F. Palmer, Esq. : The arm was received in due course of express. / am per- fectly satisfied with it; it goes beyond my expectation. I found no trouble in attaching it. I can use the fork very well, and find it very convenient in many things; in holding a book or paper, for instance. I can write a legible hand with it,—of course I do not wish to use it for that purpose, it being my left. The longer I use it the more I am attached to it. I should dislike very much to lose the use of it even for a single day. The main point to me is very happily obtained,—that is, the looks; every one 14 says "It is very natural." You can understand what a gain it is to me. My friends seem to be about as much pleased to see me use it as I am to have it. I would not take the best farm in Illinois for it. I like the arrangement of the clamp in the arm which holds the fingers in place; it works admirably.* With many good wishes, I remain, Your friend, 0. Vaughan, Ticket Agent, Bloomihgton, HI. (Letter No. 4.) Port Medway, Queens Co., N. S., February 22d, 1862. B. F. Palmer, Esq. Dear Sir : You will be more interested about the hand than anything else at present. I can say it more than equals what I thought came within reach of the "possible." The truth is / scarcely feel the loss of the natural hand. I need not describe to you the many things I am able to do with it, for you had an op- portunity of seeing for yourself. I may however mention that I can really write with almost the same ease with it that I can with the other; as a proof of this I may tell you that I am now writing with the artificial hand. The truth is, my friends were altogether astonished when I returned, and so far as the appearance is concerned, the most observing person would fail to perceive any difference. I am yours, &c, Albert Hemion, Professor of Languages, Ac. (Letter No. 5.) Altoona, December 27, 1857. B. Frank. Palmer, Esq. Dear Sir : * * * * The hand I am perfectly satisfied with; I can do anything I expected to do with it, and a great deal more ; in fact, I can do almost anything. * * * Yours, very truly, Henry Carr. * This hand has been used constantly without any repairs. 15 (Letter No. 6.) Martinsville, Lancaster County, Pa., June 10, 1862. Mr. B. F. Palmer. Dear Sir : The Arm you made for me meets my fullest ex- pectations. I have tested it very severely in every possible way, for eighteen months, and I find it to be invaluable. In driving, of which I have a great deal to do, I grasp the lines, and hold them almost as firm as with the natural hand; and in eating, I use the fork with the greatest facility. J. Witt Fritz. (Letter No. 7.) Warrenton, Va., December 29, 1858. Dear Sir: I drop you a word of my safe arrival at home. The limb was not an inconvenience in travelling; the leverage of the stump, short as it was, enables me to manage it quite well. My parents and friends pronounced it a vast improvement,—quite a triumph. Your obedient servant, P. B. Smith. (Son of "Extra Billy Smith.") (Letter No. 8.) Belleville, III., April 20, 1863. B. Frank. Palmer, Esq. Dear Sir: Having one of your artificial arms, I deem it my duty to inform you that I am well pleased with it, and would not be without it for any amount of money. It is as near a natural arm as anything can be. I can ride and drive a horse as well as ever, and if it was necessary, I could write with it also. I have tried it in every particular, and I cannot find anything that I cannot do with it. All I feel sorry for is, that I did not get one four years ago; it would have saved much misery and incon- venience. But my idea was that I would have to go to Phila- delphia, to your establishment, to get one made right. This one could not be made to fit better if I was at your place. I remain your humble servant, Jacob Myers. 16 (Letter No. 9.) Rochester, N. Y., June 4, 1862. Dear Dr.: My hand works very well indeed, and I can assure you / would not go without it for one day for a great deal. It is a great help to me in school. In fact, they are almost as good as the natural ones. I remain your friend, Wm. H. Downs. (Letter No. 10.) U. S. Quartermaster's Office, Chicago, III., June 17, 1862, B. F. Palmer, Esq. Dear Sir : My appointment has been confirmed by the U. S. Senate, and I received my commission some time ago, and am under pay, but am very anxious to get my orders, so that I shall know where I am to be sent. My hand works very well, and I get along first rate. Money would be no object if I could not get another; it is of great help to me in a thousand different ways ; the fork works well. I have had a great many examine it, and they all pronounce it very wonderful. I have got so that I can write quite plainly. I remain truly yours, Geo. Q. Wthite, Captain and Asst. Quartermaster. (Letter No. 11.) Mississippi River Ram Fleet, Flag Ship Switzerland, off Helena, Ark., .^ ^, ^ September 6, 1862. B. F. Palmer, Esq. Dear Sir: ****** It wouU u imposs{bh for me to do without your Arm after having used it. I have seen considerable service since I saw you. Was before Vicksburg during the bombardment, and have been in several guerilla skir- mishes. I like the service much, although dangerous. I remain, respectfully, Geo. Q. White, Captain and Asst. Quartermaster.