Apeg leg is aprosthesis, or artificial limb, fitted to the remaining stump of a human leg, especially a wooden one fitted at the knee.[1] Its use dates to antiquity.[2]
By the late 19th century, prosthetics vendors would offer peg legs as cheaper alternatives to more intricate, lifelike artificial legs.[3]Even as vendors touted advantages of more complicated prostheses over simple peg legs,[3]according to a contemporary surgeon, many patients found a peg leg more comfortable for walking.[4] According to medical reports, some amputees were able to adjust to the use of a peg leg so well that they could walk 10, or even 30, miles in one day.[5]
Nowadays, wooden peg legs have been replaced by more modern materials, though some sports prostheses do have the same form.[6]
Billy Waters (1778–1823), aka Black Billy, former African American slave, then sailor in the British Navy until he became an amputee. Also a busker of prolific merit.
Bliquez, Lawrence J. (1996). "Prosthetics in Classical Antiquity: Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Prosthetics". In Haase, Wolfgang (ed.).Philosophie, Wissenschaften, Technik. Wissenschaften (Medizin und Biologie [Forts.]).doi:10.1515/9783110809008-009.ISBN9783110809008.
Reeves, Nicholas (1999) "New lights on ancient Egyptian prosthetic medicine" In: Davies, W. V. (editor) (1999) Studies in Egyptian Antiquities. A Tribute to T.G.H. James British Museum Press, London, pp. 73–77,ISBN0-86159-123-2
