This, from the BBC website, is actually not so much about Nelson himself, but rather about the effects and difficulties faced by those today who lose an upper limb. Naturally many of them are servicemen, with whom Nelson would readily have identified, but also includes others who have suffered such a misfortune:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-23086540Having suffered the painful ordeal of amputation without the aid of anasthetic, apart from perhaps a good dose of rum, I believe it is known that Nelson could to a certain extent foretell the weather, due to the sensations in the stump of his right arm. Seemingly his men, however, were rather more able to gauge his temper – from the fact that his waved his 'fin' when animated! I believe Nelson also alluded to the fact that he had the sensation of his arm still being attached, I have heard this being referred to as a 'phantom arm', which I understand is also a common feeling.
On another point, there seems to be some difference of opinion as to what happened to Nelson's amputated limb at Tenerife. I have read, although I can't remember where, that it is kept near the altar of the Church at Santa Cruz – which sounds rather unlikely to me! Another view, perhaps nearer the truth, is that it was just thrown overboard and still lies somewhere offshore of the town. (If so, has any one ever tried to look for it?) However, I seem to recall that his arm is recorded to have been buried with a deceased officer, at the time of the attack. Can anyone shed any further light on this?