Title: Peg leg

Identifier: Country Doctor Museum   (https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/14374)

Description: Many people think of pirates when they see a “peg leg.” This type of artificial limb, however, was often used by soldiers whose lower leg had been amputated during the Civil War. The term “peg leg” is considered an offensive term for an artificial limb. It is specifically used to refer to simple, wooden models such as this one. The limb consists of a simple wooden peg or post attached to another piece of wood that is shaped to support the knee. A wooden piece at the top of the artificial limb extended up next to the thigh, and a strap could be pulled around the thigh for support and to keep the artificial limb in place.