,-  '
I 1
-A-   DESCRIPTION
OF A .
NEW,  CURIOUS,
IMPORTANT    INVENTION
BY DOUGKLAS  BLY, M. D.





      Rochester Eveninf? Express Print
H   .ft
 
 WE
3to<o\6 
  NATURE THE TEACHER-MAN THE SCHOLAR!

                       AND

         A  NEW, CU.RIOTTS,

                       AND


IMPORTANT   INVENTION

                THE  RESULT.



       DOUGLAS  BLY,  M.D.,

             OF ROCHESTER,  N.  Y . ,

Having spent several years dissecting and studying Anatomy, in New York,
Philadelphia, London, Paris, and Vienna, and several more in teaching it,
became familiar with the mechanism of Man, so

     "WONDERFULLY AND FEARFULLY .AIADE."

Where levers and pulleys are found more perfect than in machine shop?,
and valves more perfect than in steam engines—in a word,

     MECHANISM  IN PERFECTION,

And knowing the wants of those who have lost one or both legs, he set
himself at work to supply them. He dissected a leg, separated the mus.
cies, tendons, and joints, and spread them out on a table before him, and
then went to work to

          REPRODUCE  NATURE IN ART,

And how well he has succeeded,  he leaves the world to judge.  The fol-
lowing is a description.
t-1 7-1 -U 3 
 
   Fig. 1  is a section of D-\ Bly's Ball anl Socket Jointed Artificial Leg.
   The ankle joint is formed by a ball  (B) ok polished  ivory, which is a
 joint that admits of every motion that the  mtural ankle  docs, without an
 EXCEPTION.
   The cords (C) assume the  position and functions of the natural tendons.
 Only three are shown in  fail,  but the end.,--of all are seen in  Fig. 3.
   S is three of the live rubber springs,  which take the place of the musclea
 of the natural leg.   (See description, pp. 3 and -4.)
   AT is the nuts, by which the tension of the cords and springs are regu-
 lated to suit the wearer.
   E is the spring which  operates the knee joint.
   Fig. 2 is a posterior view of the  leg  and  thigh ; the-thigh in section-
 showing the knee cords (A")  which take the place of the crucial ligaments of
 the  natural knee.   (See p. 5.)
   Fig. 4 shows the curved joints (A) on either  side of the knee, as con-
 structed by Dr.  Bly, for amputations  below  the knee.   The curve  corres-
 ponds with the natural knee,  and allows the pants to set smoothly.
   And, Fig  5  shows the joints (F) for  the same purpose,  as construct-
 ed by all other makers.  (See description,  p. 5.)
   Dr. Bly, being t/ie  inventor and patentee, his the exclusive right to
 manufacture, each awl all the within described improvements.
   Fig. G.   The right leg of  this figure  shows  one  of Dr.  Bly's Artificial
 Tjcgs, worn by a mechanic, and  flexed laterally  at the ankle joint, the same
 a.s a natural leg.  It assumes every other position of the natural  leg with
 equal facility.  (See, p. 4.)
   Fig. 8, represents- the  ankle joint flexed diagonally, as is often the case
 when one side of the foot happened to be placed on a small  stone, or other
 obstacle.
   Fig. 9, shows the action of the ankle joint when walking on  the side of a
 hill, or on an inclined  plain,  the foot accommodating  itself to the surface,
 like  the natural foot.
   The joints in this leg are made without iron or any kind of metal, there-
 fore the leg is extremely light ; much lighter than any 'other.   The lia-
 bility of metallic joints to rattle and make a noise, after the  leg has been
 worn a short  time, is  well known, and the annoyance which it causes the
 wearer at every step is also well known.   Now,  as there  is no metal about
 the joints in this  leg, there is no noise.   The ankle joint is formed by  a
 rall of polished ivory, plying in a  socket of  vulcanized india  rubber. (See
 Fig. 3.)
   This joint accomplishes the great object which the Artificial Leg makers
 have hitherto sought for in vain, viz. :  it admits of motio-n  in all directions
 like the natural ankle joint, and thereby allows the artificial foot to ac-
commodate itself to the varied inequalities of  the surface, the same  as the
 natural foot.  (See  Figs. 8  and 9.)  This enables those who wear it to
walk so well, that it is not even suspected, much less detected.
  Furthermore,  this  is a joint  that requires no on,, a fact of no little im-
portance,  as those will testify  who have worn  legs with metallic joints, and
been obliged to carry pocket  oil cans.
  In the places corresponding to those occupied by the muscles of the nat-
ural  leg are placed  rubber springs, (see Fig. 1.) with catgut cords (see Figs.
1 and 3,) of sufficient strength, extending downward in place of the natural 
4
 tendons ; and it is really interesting to see how well the action of the rub-
 ber springs imitate those of the natural muscles.  These  rubber springs or
 artificial muscles,  together with  the  ball and socket  joint,  produce eveky
 motion-  of  the natural leg, without an exception.
   The  springs are made of rail-road car spring rubber, and used  by com-
 pression, therefore it  is  net possible to overtax or break them ; 1 repeat.
 it is not possible to break them.  This will  be appreciated by those who inn■■■
 worn legs  with metallic  springs ; especially  by those who  have worn  Hie
 Palmer leg.
   The power, and action, of all the springs in this leg, are regulated sinipJy
 by turning a nut, so that the wearer may adjust them to suit his own  pe-
 culiar gait, witlr the greatest facility.
   Then, instead of the mechanical motions given a limb by metallic springs
 the rubber springs imparl easi, uniform motions to the  limb, like those of  tlit
 natural musdes, which give  it, when  in use,  a remarkable life-like  ap-
 pearance.
   In walking, when the  weight of the body rests upon the ball  of the foot,
 ihe spring representing the gastrocnemius and solcus muscles is  firmly coin-
 pressed, and  when the  weight of  the body is  thrown  forward on to the
 other foot, the spring rises and carries the foot  forward to  its place, with
 very little effort of the wearer.
   In ordinary walking, with the toes  turned outward, the foot, like the na-
 tural one, is flexed diagonally, or in the line of motion, xchich  makes a grace-
 ful step.   Artificial  legs made heretofore, roll  the  foot to compensate  for
 this diagonal flexion,—hence the  uneven gait so often seen.
   If  the  foot is  turned  out  sidewise  to  brace the body, or to work  at a
 bench, as in many kinds of mechanical labor, the ankle joint  flexes laterallt,
 and the foot remains flat on the ground, and gives a firm  base of support,
 which is oi great importance in all kinds of labor.  (See Fig.  6.)
   Furthermore, when walking, if one side of the foot happens to be placed
on a stone or elevation, or into a  hole, the mobility of the ankle joint allows
the foot  to yidd just enough  to accommodate itself to the inequality, and there-
by prevent stumbling or falling, which necessarily takes place more  or less
 with all legs which  do not  admit of lateral  and diagonal  motion  at the
ankle joint.   (See Figs. 8 and 9.)
   The  knee  joint, for  amputations above the  knee, is articulated without
miy iron, steel or  metal of any kind.   The axis is made of vulcanized rub-
 ber,  and the box  in which it rests is  so constructed  that it new r  requires
bushing,—consequently, the  annoyance and  expense of sending  the leg  to
the maker, to have the joints bushed every now and  then, is  avoided.
   The wearing parts  of toe joint are adjustable, and may be tightened
at any  time, in a moment, at the option of the wearer.
   Vulcanized rubber, the substance  used in this joint, as well  as the ankle, is
peculiarly adapted to  this  purpose,  on  account  of its  great hardness,
lightness,  and its mjui/ing  no oil.
   It  is  so hard,  that  pant,  vest  and  coat  buttons were actually driven
through an inch  board without being injured, when toted for  the  United
States Navy ; this hardness gives it great durability.
   Oil is of no use to it ; consequently this joint, like  the ankle, " requires
no oil."
   The knee joint is operated by a spring, similar  to those already described. 
5
 Its motious are limited and controlled by two cords which take the place of
 the crucial ligaments of the natural  knee joint;  consequently, there is no
 twipleasant j ir caused by any solid parts coming in contact.
   For amputations below the knee, no  artificial knee is required, but there
 is a jointed steel strap on each side of the knee, which supports the leather
 laccr.   In the construction  of these straps, there is another nice little in-
 vention, tvhich, like the rest, takes nature for its guide.
   By  laying  a femur (thigh bone) ou  paper and drawing a line on each
 side, I obtained  the  exact  curve  of the lower end of the bone.   Then I
 gave the jointed extremities of the s'rap.s  (A) the same curve, consequently
 they work in harmony with the natural joint, and conform  to the contour of
 the knee, which allows the pants to remain smooth and handsome when sitr
 ting with the  knee flexed.  (See  Fig. 4.)
   The square or angular straps (  Y)  used by all other makers, (represented
 in Fig. 5,) make a very bad appearance when the  wearer is sitting, and  are
 ugly, uncouth  things, to  say the  least.   They demonstrate what  I have
 already  stated, namely, the necessity of taking  nature for a guide in all
 things pertaining to Artificial Legs.
   Formerly the manufacture of artificial legs has  been left entirely to com-
 mon mechanics, and those who have undergone amputation, but who have
 little or no knowledge of anatomy ; consequently,  the construction of arti-
 ficial legs has  been merely mechanical, and Nor  anatomical.
   They have  imitated some  of the motious of the natural leg quite well,  but
 others not at all.   Indeed it could hardly  be expected that any one but an
 L.uatomist should be able to model a leg so close to nature, as to imitate all
 lie varied motions of the natural leg.
   To obtain an Artificial Leg. with all the  varied motions of the  natural
 one, I  have devoted much time, and by frequent dissections, have accomplish-
 rd the object.   I  saw  that nature used no bolts  or  pins to  bolt or fasten  the
 loot to the leg, but that she nicely rounded  the bones at the joint, and
 held tl.cui in  place  by means of ligaments,  tendons and  muscles.   Then,
 taking nature for my guide, I dispensed with all the hinges, pins, bolts, and
 cumbrous metallic joints generally used in artificial  legs, and simply rounded
 and shaped the joint like the  bones  of the  natural  leg,  and supplied  the
 place of the natural muscles by means of india  rubber spring., and the ten-
 dons by catgut cords of sufficient &trength, and the  leg was a complete copy
 of nature.  Like every thing which takes nature for its guide, it is very
 simple, and not liable to get out of order.
   In  form the limb is always made to correspond  exactly with the  natural
 one,  then it is covered  with a delicate skin, which  is enameled with  the
 most delicate  tinted  flesh-colored enamel, shaded to suit each particular
 case ; and the whole  is so natural in  appearance,  and so life-like in  all  its
 motions, that it is often mistaken for a natural limb.
   It is adapted to all amputations, cither  above or below the knee.
   Let it be remembered that each and every  device herein described, is  pa
 tented  to me  in the United States, Eugland and  France ; and that who-
ever  manufactures one of them within these countries, does it at his peril;
also, that whoever uses one, incurs the same risk unless  he purchases it of
me.
                                      DOUGLAS  BLY, AI.D.
                                                anatomist and  surccdn. 
6
  This leg  was  placed  in  competition with other Artificial  Legs  for the
first time, at the New York State Fair, October, 1858, and  the  following
is the  report of the committee :

" DR. D. BLY,  Rochester.
  "Artificial  Leg.  B@*  Award, Diploma and Large Medal.
  " This ' Artificial Leir,' presented to your Committee for inspection, wa«
brought in direct competition with ' Palmer's Artificial Leg,' before noticed
in this Report ■ we were, therefore, necessarily required to decide relative
to their comparative merits—and, after a full investigation of their mechani-
cal  construction, materials used, and the adaptation to the accomplishment
of the  object of their creation, found no difficulty in arriving at a conclusion
satisfactory  to ourselves ; and which,  we arc confident, will be adopted or
approved by our unfortunate fellow-citizens who are compelled to supply the
waut of natural by Artificial Legs.  We are unanimous in the opinion that
the  Leg presented by Dr. Bly  is the  best, and that it possesses advantages
over tile 'Palmer Leg'  very desirable  to  the user,  and  creditable to  its
maker.  These are :—1st,  Its  weight is less.  2d. No metallic springs are
used in its construction, demanding frequent repairs.  3d.  But one metallic
bolt (that at the  knee joint) is used.*   4th. The ankle joint is so construct-
ed  as  to  admit  of a  lateral, rotary, or side motion of the foot  (in exact
imitation of that in the natural ankle), thereby enabling the wearer to
walk upon uneven surfaces, or step upon  small stones,  or other  light ob-
structions, with less  liability to  stumble or fall—lighten the tax upon his
caution as to where and how he  steps to secure safety, and, in an equal ratio,
diminish the physical effort necessary to its use.
  •• This Leg combines the desirable qualities found  in  Palmer's,  with the
improvements above enumerated, and is a nearer approach, in its anatomical
structure and motions,  when in  use, to its ' model,' the natural Leg.
  " We award the First Prize  to Dr. lily,  for his improvements, and the
evidence of progress in  the mechanic arts, found  in the construction of his
'Artificial  Leg.'"
  I certify that the foregoing is a true abstract from the original  Report.
                                       A. P. S1GOURNEY,
                                             Chairman of  (Jommiilee.
  * I have since done away with  this iron bolt, and  now make them without any
iron whatever. 
   The following are a few of the many testimonials which might be given :

                               J.  H.  DAVIS.
n„ t,                                          Le Roy, N. Y., April 2,  1859.
L>R. Bly :

  Dear Sir—It gives me pleasure to inform you  that  the leg  I bought of von last
September is of the  greatest service to me.  I am in the grocery business, and on mv
feet from morning until late at night.  I can roll and lift barrels and boxes of good'-
out and into the wagon and cellar, deliver goods, and do everything pertaining to
my business.  The leg is all right, and works well, though I have not put a drop of
oil into the ball and socket-joint since I got it.  I wish I had one of your Improved
knee-Jomts, so I  would not be obliged to use any oil at all, forit is a great nuisance
\ou can recommend the Ball and Socket, or Universal Motion, at the ankle-joint ;w
highly as you like, for it cannot be over rated.
                   Most truly and thankfully yours,               J. H. Davis.
                             A.  W. GILBERT.

                                 Tully, Onondaga Co., N. Y., March 30,  1S-7J.
Dr.  D. Bly :
  Bear Sir— From a sense of duty to you, and those who have been unfortunate, like hit-
Pelf,  I send you the following,  which you can make  any use of you think best, and
you may refer to me whenever you choose.
  I am now happy and comfortable, and I attribute  it all to the Artificial Leg which
I purchased of you last December.   I have worn the limb every day since, and have
experienced no trouble.   Some of the cords I unscrewed a little", and others I screwed
up a little, as you told me, until I got it to  suit my particular step or gait, and  it
has run like clock-work ever since.  I have not put  a single drop of oil iii either the
knee or ankle-joint;  yet, if I am not mistaken, it works better than when I got it.
The limb sets perfectly easy, and does not hurt the stump,  as other limbs do which
I have seen in use.  The mobility of the ankle-joint  prevents the stump from prying
against the socket when the foot happens to be placed  on any inequality.
  The  Talniei' and  Selpho Legs are both in use about here, but it is the prevailing
opinion that yours is the best,  because I walk the best.  They walk quite well on a
carpet, except, that their step or gait is not quite as even and natural as mine, and 1
think it is because they  lack the diagonal motion at  the ankle ; this may be a small
matter to you, but it is a great one to us.   But when we come to walk out of door.-.
on all  sorts of rough  and uneven places,  then the superiority of tiik Ball and
Socket-Joint is inmistakeable—it is the thing.  It surpasses my expectations, and I
would not be without it for any consideration.
                                   Yours truly,                A. Yv. Gilbert.
                            MICIIEAL  RYAX.

                                           Nashville, Tknn., Sept.  10,  1859.
Dr.  Bly:
   Dear Sir—I send you a few lines for the benefit of those who are situated as I was
before I used your newly-invented Artificial Leg.  I had heard that you had invent-
ed a leg by dissecting : and, that by taking Nature for your guide, you had  made a
leg which  has all the flexibility and motions  of the natural leg, which makes it
remarkably useful and lifj-like ;  still I was afraid to write to you to make me one,
because I thought the story too good to be true. And I should  not have got one
had  it not  been  for Dr.  Carow, of Nashville.   He told me that he had seen it, and
that it was really modelled after the natural  leg, and that  it is one of the finest
things ever invented, and I had better get one  I took his advice, and I am a thou-
sand times obliged to him for his kindness.  Notwithstanding all that I have heard
and  read, my highest expectations are more than realized.   Aid  to all who have
any doubt after reading this, I say come and see my leg, or go to Dr  Bly's establish-
ment, and see for yourselves, for in this case seeing is believing.
                             Respectfully yours,               MiciiA'-i, Uyan. 
Q
                              II. J.  DRAKE.

                                            CnELSEA, Mich., Aug. 15,  1859.
I)n. D.  Bly :
  Dear Sir- After so long a time, T write to inform you how I am getting on with
tin* Arliiicial Leg you made me.   1 hive been wanting to give it a fair trial.  I can-
not find words to express my sali-f.iciion.
  1 have mowed my gra<s,  an 1 made my hay myself—and that, too, on the marsh,
where it was very boggy.
  1 have cradled' my oats myself (sec fig. 13), and raked and hound them.  In fact I
eaii do most all kinds of work.
  I like 1 to forgot to tell you about threshing.  I have been all round the neighbor
hood threshing ; and by thus changing work, have got help to do my own threshing.
Doctor, if I could not get another leg of this  kind, I would not take one thousand
dollars for this one.             Most sincerely and thankfully yours,
                                                             H. J. Drakb.
                              H. BACKUS
                                               Batayiv, X. Y., Aug.  1, 1859.
Doer.  Bly :
  Bear Sir—For the benefit of J2 nlroad men, I send you this testimonial in  relation to
the Artificial Leg you made for me.
  I am an engineer.  1 run a locomotive on  the New York Central R.R.
  I have tried a number of artificial legs of different construction, and yours enables
me to work about iny engine with more ease and facility than any other.   The mo-
bility  of the ankle-joint. whLh allows the foot t:> adapt itself to the motions of  tho
engine, also to the unevenness of the ground in jumping off, is of great importance
to railway men.
  1 have had it a year, and if  has given me no trouble in breaking or getting out of
order, though it h.is had some severe tests iu jumping off the engine.
                                                                II.  Backus. 
9
                        BONEYENTUE GROSS.
                                                            St. Louis, Mo.
Dr.  Bly:
  Bear Sir—I am not able to express my thanks  to you for the Artificial Leg you
made for me.  I find that it has merits which I did not know of until I began to
use it.
  The doctors here told me that you had invented  a leg, with  the ankle-joint pat-
terned right after the natural one, and that it would bend  sideways and every way,
just  as well as the  natural ankle—therefore I expected  a  good deal; still it more
than fulfills my expectations.
  Besides all this, I find there is no iron or metal of any kind used in the construc-
tion  of the ankle-joint, which makes the leg extremely light; furthermore,  the nature
of the material  is  such that no oil is ever  required.   Then,  for amputations like
mine—below  the knee--the curved joints on either side of  the  knee are a great im-
I rovemcnt  on the ordinary square or angular joints, used by other makers.
  When I sit down my pants set perfectly smooth over'the knee,  and I am not
obliged  to put my other  leg across the joints to hide them.
                                                        Boxevextue Gross.
                          EASTMAN COLBY.

                                    Ogden, Monroe Co., N. Y., Sept.  1, 1859.
  I have used Artificial Logs of various constructions for twelve or fifteen  years, and
latterly, have worn one of Dr. Bly's Ball and Socket-Jointed Legs, which, in princi-
ple anil operation, is a great and essential improvement on those heretofore tised.
  The motions of this limb are more natural than any I ever saw hefore   The uni-
versal motion at the ankle-joint is worth everything to a farmer ; it enables me to go
about my farm, and do my work, no matter how uneven the ground.  I can chop,
make rail fence, dig ditch, and do most all kinds of work, though my leg is am-
putated above the knee.
  It is  now more than a year since I obtained this leg, and it has given me  no trouble
in breaking or giving out, as all my others have done.
                                                           Eastman Colby.
             A PALMER LEG  REMODELED  AND IMPROVED.

                                                    Buffalo, Sept. 17, 1859.
Dr.  Bly:
  Bear Sir—You ask the privilege of publishing my letters.  You can do so, if you
like.        *         o        o        0        ».
                               Yours, etc.,               "William Bushnell.

                                                    Buffalo, March 12, '59.
Dr.  Bly:
  Dear Sir—I have been wearing the Palmer Leg for about four years, during which
time I have had two—both made by B. F. Palmer, of Philadelphia.   I have had  a
great deal of trouble and vexation, caused by breaking the instep springs.   The in-
step  spring in my second leg has just broken again, which leaves  me entirely desti-
tute—my first leg having been completely worthless for some time.  I am satisfied
that  metallic springs cannot be depended upon in  an artificial leg ; therefore I would
like  to have yon put your  patent rubber spring into my second leg.  If you will,
please inform me bv return mail.
                         Most respectfully yours,          William Bushnell.

                                                    Buffalo, Sept. 10, 1859.
Dr.  Bly :
  Bear Sir—I am still wearing my Palmer Leg with the rubber springs you put m
for me   I like them very much.  It makes one feel mighty comfortable to know
that  he has springs that cannot be broken.  Besides, they have improved my walking
very  much  the action of the rubber being so much more natural.
                       Most respectfully yours,             William Bushnell. 
10
                         LORENZO TAYLOR.

                               Elkuidce, Onondaga Co., N, Y., Sept. 1, 1S50.


  Bear Sir—I hare wern the leg you made me last May every day since ; and in jus-
tice to you, and those who are suffering as Iirax, that they may not be imposed upon,  1
feel it my duty  to let it be known how useful and important your invention is.   I
feel it more on account of a letter I received from Palmer & Co. before I got my leg
  1 would not like to repeat what they  say  about your leg, therefore  I  s-pnd yon
their letter—you can read for yourself.  If I had not been near by, so I could go and
see your leg for myself, I should not have bought one, after reading their letter, but
should have-got one of theirs, which  has only a single up and down  motion at the
ankle-joint, instead of the one I now  have, which admits of  every motion of -mik
natural ankle.
  If I happen to step on  a sidling  place, or on  a stick or stone, the ankle-joint
yields just enough to let the foot accommodate itself to the inequality, and thereby
prevents all stumbling or  inconvenience.
  1 work in a saw-mill, where I roll  logs (sec fig. 12). carry lumber, tend the saw,
and do all kinds of work.   When lifting, I sometimes put a strain on the leg. equal
to the weight of two or three men, but I find that the leg can stand all  1 can lift.
  The first week that I wore the leg.  I  walked with  one crutch ; the next week  1
used one cane, and the next week I lost  my cane sa often that I concluded to throw
it away altogether.*

                      With much gratitude, I subscribe  myself,

                                                          Lorenzo Taylor.
* TUe third week
-that sentence aluuc tells tlio whole story, to a 
HSTTRT" EITT, of Rochester, N.  Y.
BOTH  LEGS  AMPUTATED
                                  Rochester, N.  Y.
   f)mr Sir--J wish t<> state a few f.icts, which I hope you will publish for the benefit
 of :hose who have Ici.-.l the misfortune to undergo amputation of one or both legs.
   h'nr two long year.;, after I had my  legs amputated,  I dragged out a miserable
 ex'^tence,  walking on my knees, during vvhich time 1  was  shown a great many
 artificial legs :  and, after seeing and learning ,d! that I could, I determined to  pro-
 cere a pair of Dr. Bly's Ball and Socket-.Jointed  Legs.  And now,  after using them,
 I can assure those wanting artificial leg', that their superiority over all others  that
 I have seen, is decided and positive.
   The great improvement consists in the mobility of the ankle-joint, which bends
 sideways and diagonally, and every way  the natural ankle does.  The side motion
 enables me to keep  my balance with the same facility that others do, by allowing
 the body to sway to one side or the other, as the case requires, particularly when on
 a steamboat, or on the cars.   It takes away the stiffness and uncertainty, or feeling
 as if on stiits, which there is when on two legs,  which have no lateral motion at the
 ankle.  My motions are so free and easy, and 1  walk so well, that many are not
 willing to  believe that I walk on two Artificial Limbs, until I show them.  I live
a little more than a mile and a  half from the post-office, and I  am in the habit of
walking there, and about town, for an hour  or  two, and then home again, without
a cane ; and I ask no one to wait  for me, either.  If there is any one who does not
 xdieve it, let him try me.
  I am now learning a trade, and am comfortable and happy.
                                                                Henry Eitt. 
                                     12
                                                Rochester,  Dec. 27, 1859.
  Sometime in  S2ptembcr last Dr. Bly called at my Picture (Jallcrv and asked
 me if I could take the likened of .Mr, Eitt, a man who had lost both of his leg.-,
 and was wearing two of  the Dr  s  ••Patent Legs."    I said I could in half ar-
 bour.   A little before the time expired,  I  went down to the foot of the stairs to
 -oe if  they were coming, and see  how the man walked.  In a minute or two a
 man passed me and went up stairs ;  near  him was the Doctor.   I nsked where
 the lame man was.   "There he is," replied the Doctor.  Said I, " he does nut
 go lame."   *• Well, that is the man,"' said the Doctor.  And 1 hereby state that
 Mr. Eitt, with two Artificial Legs, could and did, without the aid of a cane, walk
 in  such a  manner  that no one would notice  any lameness.   He went up and
 down stairs without inconvenience.                     MATSON OTIS,
               Artist and Proprietor of Gallery, Mo. 14 State St., Rochester.

                            WILLIAM LEAL.
                                     Lawrenceburg, Indiana, Aug. 29, 1859.
Dr. Bly:
  Bear Sir—My leg operates very satisfactorily.   My friends are all  pleased with its
natural motion ;  in fact, some have told me they could see no difference in the mo-
tion of my feet when  walking.
  1 can walk on boulder pavements  with ease—your Ball and Socket Ankle-Joint
allowing the foot to adjust itself to the unevenness of surface very much like the
natural one.
  The whole appearance is so good that hut few notice that I have an artificial leg
In three weeks after leaving  your cstablisbment, I traveled about twelve bundle  1
miles, and  have been in company with people  for hilfaday. in hotels, i-.irs, and
-lagoK, who did «ot suspect but I had 1) itli my natural legs.
                                Be.sp'y yours,  etc.,            William  Leal.
             A  PALMER  LEG BEMODELED AND IMPROVED.
                                                Detroit, Mich., Aug. 3, '59.
in:-. D.  Bly :
  l)e.,ir Sir —I this day send you by express  one of my Artifici ! Legs, manufactured
i>y Mr. I'almer, of Philadelphia.  I wish you to insert your patent India-rubber springs
uid knee joint.  I have worn Artificial Legs between thirty and f >rty years  11 irtlctt's.
1'almer's, and Thomas', and one other, whose n uuc  I  cannot recollect  c.'l of them
k iving metallic springs, which are a perpetual source of troubl • and exp -n-e, in cou-
-:qucnec of their breaking so often.   Another great source of annoyance with all the
\rtilieial Leg.-. 1 have seen or worn, is Hie wealing of the bolts and bo.ws pioducinu
i clanking  or rattling noiae ; the only remedy being to send the  limb to the main:-
aeturcr. or some other mc< hanic.  to have the boxes  bushei.   1 saw  a specimen <.:
■■our Artificial Legs last Spring ; gave i a thorough examination,  -uitl it seems to iwe
you have found a remedy for both of the difficulties alluded to.
  Please make the necessary alteration  as soon as convenient, as 1 am in con'mua!
tear, when one of my legs is gone for repair, that the springs  in the other may break
it any time, and compel me to take to  my crutches.
                                      Yours truly,                 K.  k0od.

                                             Detroit, Mich.. Sept. 19, 1859.
Dr. D.  Bly:
  Dear Sir   My Palmer Leg.  into which you put your patent  spiings and knee-joint
came in due season.  I am  extremely well pleased with the improvement    The
action of your springs is remarkably pleasant.  There is a lipe-ljkk elasticity in thkjj
which gives a very fine motion to the leg, far superior to the  metallic spines
  Your method of tightening the knee-joint is admirable.  It is as much better than
bushing with buckskin, as the rubber springs are better than the  metallic
  1 am so well pleased that 1 shall send you my other Artificial  Leg  to have vour
■.prings and knee-joint inserted, as soon as its instep  spring Jwoaks again.
                              Yours -vspectfully,               *  Ezra Boon.
   All  other legs of similar construction improved in tin* same manner, on
reasonable terms. 
DR. T. F.  MHiLER, cf Louisville, Ky.
AS HK IS.                  AS HE WAS.
                                       Louisville, Ky.,  Dec. 10th, 1859.
   Dear Doctor:—Again 1 send you my warmest thanks, for setting me on
my feet again.    I also feel very thankful to the doctors here for sending me to
you.   They told me you had constructed a leg on anatomical principles, which 1
hardly thought possible,  hut now I am convinced.  Ihe Ball and Socket joirit
at the ankle, allows my feet to accommodate themselves to the varying inequal-
ities of the ground, so well, that not one in a hundred can tell, by seeing me
walk,  that 1 walk on anytning but my natural legs.   This has been tried  over
over again.   It is a great triumph   I can walii  on  rough ground, side hills,
■slanting sidewalks, cobblestone pavements, and up and down stairs without dif-
ficulty, not even requiring a cane.   In going up and down stairs I use my feet
alternately,  the same  as  other people.   When I had had  my legs only three
weeks, 1 walked a mile and a quarter in  22  minutes, and went up one flight vf
stairs in the time.   A  few days ago I  walked over  the Oakland Kaee Course-
one mile—in fourteen minutes.   Dr.  Knight, D. S. Benedict, Thomas  Brown.
Capt. McPherson, and others, saw me doit.  I-do not know whether  you  call
that good walking or not, but it suits me  pretty well.
  I, and mv  friends, will wager $3,000, that 1 can walk a greater distance in a
• ■■iven  tiims than  any man living who walks on two artificial  legs of any other
patent or construction.
  If there is any one in this region who wants an artificial leg, send him to me,
for I am a better certificate than can be published
              Most sincerely yours,                 .'.".   T. F. MILLER. 
  0^-Mr. J. F.  Miller had tho  misfortune in California some years ago to
have both legs cut off by a threshing machine, and subsequently resided in tin*
eitv, but was nevertheless able to move about on the remaining joints.  During
the past vear Mr.  Miller has procured a pair of artificial legs  made by Dr. Bly.
of Rochester.   Wo knew Mr.  Miller well when  he  resided  here  before, and
yesterday a friend took us to his office. "Wo fotnd him sitting in a chair on enter-
ing, and he immediately arose and coming up to  us received us very eordailly.
Our friend had not informed us who he was, and we did not recognize him.—
Wo knew the face, hut having been accustomed  to look down upon him, wo
now had to look up in addressing him, and he moved about on his artificial  "un-
derstandings " with an ease that challenged detection.   The change was so great
we had to be told who he was.—Louisville Journal.
  This log was exhibited at  the  New York State Fail, at Albany, GctoDer 4,
D-.59, and the following is the Report of the Committee :
  Artificial Legs.—History  teaches us that now and then  an ultimatum
will be accomplished in some given direction of scientific research  or mechanic
art, or both combined.   This, it seems to us, is the case in regard to Dr. Bly's
Artificial Leg.    Nothing can, possibly, more entirely imitate and replace tie
natural leg.   It is light and strong—it is capable of adjustment to the stump
without inconvenience to the wearer—it is symmetrical and elegant in its pro-
portions, and when covered with a stocking would  not be detected.   But it*
crowning excellence  consists in the flexibility and  perfectly natural motion of
the joints, and the adaptation  of the foot to any position or any uneven surface.
operating in all  respects  like the natural one, and the motion or action of the
leg in the act of  walking, on account of the rubber springs or muscl 'S  with
which it is furnished,  instead of hitching or dragging as is generally the case, in
elastic, buoyant,  and   natural.   And wo repeat, it is  difficult to surmise what
further can  be accomplished in this direction.    The doctor had a gentleman ir<
company with him who  wore two of them, and it was realty surprising to sec*
with what ease, with only a cane, and sometimes without  even that aid, he could
not only walk about,  but could do so  easily and gracefully.  The doctor has not
only proved himself a first class inventor, but a public benefactor  also, and wo
feel sure that those who have been so unfortunate as to be deprived of either or
both of their legs, will learn by the use of his artificial ones to so  regard  him.
We award him the first premium.
   1 certify  that  the  foregoing is a true  extract from the report of Committee,
No. 72d, of  the N. Y. State Fair, held at Albany Oct. 4th, 1850.
                                          S. A.  BUNCE, Sec'y to Com.
   PARTICULAR DIRECTIONS  TO THOSE WISHING LIMBS.

   No weight or pressure is ever taken on the end of the  stump, or other
■sensitive parts, with  this  leg.   It can  be  fitted  so as  to be easy and
comfortable for all cases.
   To avoid an unnecessary journey, or great detention, write a clear and
minute  statement of the case, and wait an answer.   A blank for measure-
ment will be sent,and the time appointed to come and have the leg fitted.
   Keep the stump bandaged tightly, to condense  the cellular tissue, and
move the  joint,  more  or  less, every  day, to insure full,  free, and easy
motions.  Address, with postage stamp enclosed,
                                          DOUGLAS  BLY, M. D.,
                             No.  9 State  Street, Rochester, N. Y, 
 
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