ANATOMY 



On the other hand, in dwarfism the internal 

 secretions may be altered in character in such a 

 way as to have a depressing effect on the growth of 

 the cartilage, which may expand less rapidly than 

 usual, exhibit less resistance to the invasion of the 

 bone-forming tissue, and disappear in compara- 

 tively early youth. 



This simple explanation will, however, not 

 suffice to account for all the influences the ductless 

 glands may bring to bear upon bone-growth. We 

 are well assured that not only are the bulk and 

 length of a bone such as the thigh-bone modi- 

 fied by the influence of internal secretions, but 

 its actual shape and general conformation can be 

 altered by alterations in the ductless glands. 



Mankind is not built to order from one stan- 

 dard pattern. The Chinaman cannot be mistaken 

 for a Negro, or a Negro for a European. Hair, 

 colour, shape, and a multitude of superficial 

 peculiarities serve to distinguish the different races 

 at a glance. These racial differences are not skin- 

 deep, confined to the surface of the body, but 

 affect the skeleton itself. Skull, limb, and other 

 bones exhibit their own racial characteristics of 

 shape, and can be recognised by their form- 

 peculiarities. 



In some disorders of the ductless glands the 

 European may , exhibit form-changes, changes 

 which affect the skeleton as well as other parts, 



235 



