1862.] 95 



For about two weeks during the cold weather in this month there 

 existed over the palmar surface of the left little finger a chilblain, the 

 only one to be found on either hand. 



The left hypothenar eminence was likewise then discovered for the 

 first time to be less firm and smaller than on the right hand, as if 

 atrophied in consequence of the results of the experiment ; and to 

 such a degree that the swelling formed by this eminence on the 

 inner side of the hand, which was considerable on the right hand, 

 was nearly absent on the left. 



To ascertain how far this difference is normal in right-handed 

 persons, I examined the hands of several persons accustomed to 

 manual labour, where the preponderance of the upper right limb is 

 great ; but I found much less than in the present instance. I must 

 therefore attribute this atrophy of the left hypothenar eminence partly 

 to the semi-paralysis of the muscles, and especially to the diminished 

 nutrition from constriction of the vessels. 



Compression of the Ulnar Nerve. 



I compress this nerve simply by resting the elbow on some hard 

 body slightly padded, and holding a heavy book in the hand to 

 increase the weight on the elbow, which would otherwise be in- 

 sufficient. 



The symptoms are sensory, motory, and vaso-motory. 



The sensory symptoms are those first perceived, being the well- 

 known formication over the palmar territory of the nerve, viz. the 

 little finger, the inner side of the annular, and the hypothenar emi- 

 nence. 



The symptoms of anaesthesia over the dorsal surface of the hand 

 and fingers do not appear until a later period, when the anaesthesia 

 is considerably advanced in the palmar portion. 



While the anaesthesia is gradually progressing, the muscles of the 

 hand governed by the ulnar nerve become weakened, stiff, and im- 

 perfect in their movements. 



The first muscles which lose their power are the interosseous, 

 which govern the adductive and abductive movements of the fingers. 

 On trying alternately to spread out and to bring the fingers in con- 

 tact, we find them to move imperfectly and weakly, in a trembling 

 uncertain way, like the movements of old age. Later still the little 



