2

The Salem Leg, under the Patronage of the United States Government
(Salem, Mass. : the Company, 1866).
Deposited by the Boston Public Library with the Boston Medical Library, 1906.

The injuries and amputations of Civil War soldiers fostered a booming industry in the manufacture and marketing of artificial limbs, with over eighty new patents for artificial legs filed between 1861 and 1873.  The Salem Leg Company—Dr. Edward Brooks Peirson was the president of its board—achieved early prominence due to its recommendation by the government for the Army.  Promotional literature from these companies included testimonials from wounded veterans.  George T. Smith, a former soldier, wrote, “I work ten hours every day, and have to stand all of the time.  Besides that, I walk to and from my meals three times a day, and that is about three miles.  When you get any one to do as well on an artificial leg as that, let me know.  As to dancing, I have tried to three times; but as my leg had not been to school, I could not do it very well, but expect to before winter is over…. Had I friends in need of a limb, I would advise them to get a Salem Leg.”

Darwin DeForrest Douglass (1828-1902)
The Douglass Patent Artificial Limbs, D. DeForrest Douglass, Inventor and Manufacturer, Office, Burt's Block, Main Street, Springfield, Mass., 11th ed.
(Springfield, Mass. : Samuel Bowles & Co., printers, 1869).
Deposited by the Boston Public Library with the Boston Medical Library, 1906.

Douglass’ advertising pamphlet for his artificial limbs makes a point that, unlike the Salem leg, “these limbs have never been dependent upon the Government for their support, but are thoroughly established on the real and intrinsic merits of the invention.  This history of those cheap ephemeral substitutes known as ‘government legs’ is too well known to make any comments.”

Darwin DeForrest Douglass (1828-1902) Autograph Letter Signed : Washington, D.C., to Susan Douglass, Springfield, Mass.?], March 10, 1862.
Purchased for the Boston Medical Library, 1973.

During the early years of the war, DeForrest Douglass travelled to battle sites and met with Army surgeons, hoping to obtain government sponsorship for his artificial leg. In this letter to his wife, he describes conditions in Virginia and some of his meetings with the surgeons of the 44th New York Regiment.