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CIVIL WAR ERA WOODEN LEG SPLINTS – VERY GOOD
CONDITION - MAKER MARKED - SCARCE EARLY MEDICAL PIECE:
This original set of two Civil War era Leg Splints was
patented and manufactured by Dr. Almiron M. Day of
Bennington, Vermont. Apparently securing his patents
during the mid 1850’s through the mid 1860’s, Dr. Day’s
splints were generally used in the army hospitals during
the Civil War.
Described and pictured on page 73 of Dr. Dammann’s
Pictorial Encyclopedia of Civil War Medical Instruments
and Equipment, Volume One, and again on page 76 of
Volume Two by the same title, this particular set was
designed to splint the lower portions of the leg and
ankle. Measuring 13 ¼” long and generally 3 ½ ” wide,
this set
is in very good condition. The two splints retain the
original varnish finish and both pieces retain the
original maker’s stencil “A. M. DAY” and the notation
“OUTSIDE LEFT” and “INSIDE LEFT” respectively. The
outside splint has a period executed repair where the
splint cracked at the ankle, consisting of two iron
bands shaped to the curve of the splint and attached
with iron screws. The splint is solid with no movement
and it was obviously used after the repair was done.
The repair is indicative of how valuable these splints
were to the surgeons, for otherwise I suspect the splint
would have been disposed of rather than repaired.
This is a very special set and will be an important
addition to a Civil War display or any 19th
Century Medical display. (0321) $125
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