Adjustable wooden footrest, England, 1830-1930
Used to rest and raise the foot, this footrest allowed the body time to heal and to avoid further injury. Raising the foot helps to reduce swelling and ease the pain in conditions such as gout. The footrest could also be adjusted to different heights using a ratchet, a similar system to a deckchair. There is also a wooden bar to rest the foot in an upright position. This object is made from the hard wood mahogany and could have been used both in hospitals and at home.
Object number:
A602101
Related Themes and Topics
Glossary:
Glossary: nursing
The study and practice of caring for and waiting on the sick, injured, or others unable to look after themselves or to deal with their specific medical needs.
Glossary: footrest
A support for the foot or feet.
Glossary: orthopaedics
The branch of medicine concerned with the preservation and restoration of the muscular and skeletal systems in the body.