404 



The following table will shew the diversity of opinion which exists 

 as to the dimensions of the caecum. 



Dimensions of Caecum. Various Authors. 



Average length. Average breadth. 



6,0 cm 

 6,0 „ 

 8,0 „ 



8,0 „ 



7,8 „ 



This diversity of opinion has arisen from the confusion prevalent 

 as to the boundaries of the caecum. 



In dealiug with the dimensions, I shall only use those 42 cases 

 out of the 100 where the actual caecal measurements, as proved by 

 the casts are given. 



These 42 cases comprise 25 males and 17 females, and vary in 

 age from 8 months to 80 years. On striking an average, the follow- 

 ing result is obtained. 



Average length of caecum = 5,8 cm 

 Average breadth of caecum = 7,0 „ 



These measurements may, I think, be taken as being more accu- 

 rate than those just given in the table, inasmuch as they are all 

 founded upon the results yielded by the casts. 



These average dimensions, though differing very slightly from the 

 authors there quoted, serve to emphasise the fact (upon which most 

 statistics agree) that the caecum is always broader than long. 



Sex does not appear to have any influence upon the size of the 

 caecum, as in the 25 male cases the figures work out almost precisely 

 the same as those already given; the figures in the 17 female cases 

 also almost exactly repeating the above results. 



Age, on the contrary, appears to have a marked effect upon the 

 size of the caecum; and here in consequence of the smallness of the 

 numbers in some of the decades, I have grouped the cases as follows : 



Below the age of 10 years 11 cases 



Between 10 and 30 years 3 „ 



30 „ 40 „ 11 „ 



40 „ 60 „ 11 „ 



„ 60 ,, 80 „ 6 „ 



