Chap. 21.—An AOT to Provide Artificial Limbs for Citizens of the Com-
monwealth who Lost their Limbs during the War.

Approved January 138, 1873.

Whereas, it appears, from applications on file in the office of
the auditor of public accounts, that a large number of citizens
who lost legs in the late war are still unprovided with artificial
legs, or upon trial have been unable to use those hitherto fur-
nished: therefore,

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That the governor,
‘auditor of public accounts, and Dr. H. L. Thomas of the city
of Richmond—who are hereby constituted a board for the
-purpose—are directed to contract for, and furnish to, every

citizen of this commonwealth, who lost a leg in the late war,
an artificial leg to supply the place of the one so lost: pro-
vided, that the applicant has heretofore furnished, or can
hereafter furnish, a certificate from the court of his county or
corporation showing that he is a citizen of this state, that he
lost his leg in the late war, and was a citizen of this state at
the time of the loss of said leg, or in a military corps of the
state: and provided further, that he has not received an artifi-
cial leg from any other state, the United States, or under the
provisions of an act entitled an act to provide artificial legs for
citizens of this commonwealth who lost their legs in the late
war, passed January twenty-ninth, eighteen hundred and sixty-
seven; or the act approved November the first, eighteen hun-
dred and seventy, entitled “an act to provide artificial legs
for citizens of the commonwealth who lost their legs during the
late war;” or the act approved March twenty-fifth, eighteen
hundred and seventy-two, amending and re-enacting the sanie:
provided further, that where the applicant has been heretofore
furnished an artificial leg under the provisions of either of the
aforementioned acts, and cannot use said artificial leg, or that
it is unfit for use, then such disabled soldier shall produce the
certificate of the county court of his county reciting the facts
as required as aforesaid; and further, that such soldier was so
disabled as aforesaid to such an extent that an artificial leg
cannot be worn or used by him, then it shall be the duty of
the auditor of public accounts, on the production of such last-
named certificate, to pay such soldier an amount in money
equivalent to the cost of such leg if the same could be worn by
him: provided further, that in the furnishing of limbs, or giv-
ing compensation in lieu thereof, under the provisions of this
act, preference shall be given to those applying who have not
received the same under the provisions of former acts: pro-
vided further, that the same sum shall be paid to those who
prove in like manner that they lost arms during the late war.
Colored men who, being then residents of this state, lost legs.
or arms, as soldiers or employees in the late war, shall be en-
titled to the benefits of this act.

2. That the sum of twenty thousand dollars—if so much be
required—is hereby appropriated to defray the charges and
expenses attending the execution of the provisions of the fore-
going section, to be paid by the treasurer as the same may be
required, out of any money not otherwise appropriated, upon
the order of the auditor, countersigned by the governor.

3. The board may make such rules and regulations as it may
deem suitable to carry this act into effect, and shall contract
for and furnish such patterns of artificial legs as it may think
best adapted to the purpose intended by this act.

4. Dr. H. L. Thomas, or his successor, as a member of the
board, shall act as surgeon for the board; and it shall be his
duty to see that each leg furnished is well made, of good ma-
terials, and that it is well fitted and adjusted to the person
receiving it. And the said surgeon shall receive as compensa-
ton for his services not exceeding two dollars for each leg fur-

5. Should the office of Dr. H. L. Thomas, as a member of
the board, become vacant, either temporarily or permanently,
the other members of the board shall appoint another surgeon
to supply his place, either temporarily or permanently, as the
case may require. :

6. This act shall be in force from its passage.

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