H. Drinkwater 335 



" Functionally, the fingers are all reduced to the bi-phalangeal 

 condition, and thus come to resemble thumbs." 



The Thumb. " The change in the thumb consists of a shortening 

 of the fii-st phalanx which is reduced to a cube. There is no attempt 

 at ankylosis however." In some children the epiphysis is present, but 

 in others it is apparently absent, for if present union must have occurred 

 before the seventh year. The terminal phalanx has the epiphysis in 

 every individual. 



" The so-called metacarpal bone of the thumb is in reality the first 

 phalanx, for here the epiphysis is clearly seen at the base, whereas in the 

 other metacarpals the epiphysis is seen at the distal end of the bones." 



" The Metacarpals vary more or less in different individuals, but, as 

 a rule, where ossification is complete, they are abnormal." " The head 

 of each metacarpal is distinctly nodulated in many cases.... The middle 

 one is the shortest of the four," in No. 25, and in this woman the whole 

 palm shows the maximum degree of shortening. In PL XV, No. 27, 

 the metacarpals of the middle and little fingers are much shorter 

 than the other two. 



"Sesamoid bones are well shown in several cases." 



Spaces. The intermetacarpal spaces are generally increased in 

 width, especially between the heads of the bones. Sometimes it is 

 about three times the normal width. This accounts for the easy 

 compressibility oi the palm laterally. 



Measurements : Average in Inches. 



The following table gives the average length of the middle finger, 

 the hand, and the stature in eleven abnormal adult women (8 married 

 and 3 spinsters). 



Middle Finger Hand Stature 



1| 4-1 57i 



In normal women these measurements are about 3, 6f and 64 



respectively. 



There is only one abnormal adult male member of the family now 

 living, and I have not yet seen him. The only measurement he has 

 sent me is that of the middle finger, which he says is 1§" in length. 



There are three abnormal males between 17 and 21 years of age, and 

 their averages are as follows' : 



Middle Finger Hand Stature 



li 5| 61i 



1 In the first family : these measurements were 



1—15/16 54 61. 



Journ. of Gen. iv 22 



