Waring Historical Library

News and Exhibits

Web Exhibits

• 20 years later MUSC Remembers Hugo
• Overcoming the Rejection Factor: MUSC’s first organ transplant
• 2008 Annual Meeting Photos
• History of Colcock Hall
• Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot & the Theater of Medicine

New Acquisitions

The Waring Historical Library is proud to announce the acquisition of our newest artifact. It is a wooden prosthetic leg, a gift from Mr. and Mrs. Walter H. Tylee of North Charleston. It was worn by Mr. Walter Joseph Sylvia (shown, at right), grandfather of Mr. Tylee, who was born in Cordsville, South Carolina, on April 3, 1874. He died on May 19, 1937 in Long Island, New York. Mr. Sylvia worked as a brakeman for Southern Railways and lost his leg in a rail accident in 1905. Mr. Tylee relates that his grandfather used only his artificial leg and a cane and was very mobile until his death in 1937.

The artifact design is unique in that the ankle is hinged to provide greater mobility for the wearer. The prosthetic leg was made by the Hanger Company. It is now called Hanger Orthopedic Group, Inc. and is still in business in 42 states. The company was founded by James Edwards Hanger in 1861. At age eighteen he was the first amputee during the Civil War. His own plight at losing a limb prompted him to construct the “Hanger Leg” which gained popularity among leg amputees during and after the Civil War. .

Shown at right are selected items acquired during the past year by gift and purchase for the Waring Historical Library collection. In addition to recent purchases, several books have been conserved – all with support from the Waring Library Society fund.