Orthopedic Sculpture

We are presenting this incredible piece: a terracotta sculpture adorned with all the orthopedic supports developed in response to this disease, which first appeared in 1936 and experienced a resurgence in the post-war years (1950s). This terracotta sculpture, created by a manufacturer in Roanne (42) – see the photo of the stamp – was designed to demonstrate and explain to patients how the most affected areas of their bodies would be supported by these various corsets, to use the correct terminology. These statues were certainly displayed in doctors' offices and, I imagine, in pharmacy windows or at orthopedic clinics. It is in quite good condition, despite a small piece of missing terracotta on the back left and a break in part of the prostheses (left arm). This sculpture would be suitable for someone in the medical field; it could date from the 1930s or perhaps earlier. Regarding this disease, it wasn't until 1840 that a German orthopedic physician, Dr. Jacob Heime, first took an interest in poliomyelitis, which was known as "Heime's disease." Traces of poliomyelitis have been found on skeletons dating back to 3400 BC. (E26)