THE SYMPATHETIC SYSTEM 213 



nearly reaching that of giants. It is, however, a mild 

 gigantism oscillating between 1.80 and 1.90 metres and 

 caused by an excessive development of the lower limbs, 

 which is due to the late persistence of cartilage. It is often 

 found, that even at an advanced age, these individuals 

 still have non calcified epiphysis. When the height 

 approaches the normal, there is a disproportion between 

 the lower limbs and the rest of the body. 



To these disturbances in the development of the skele- 

 ton are added hypoplasia or atrophy of the genital organs 

 and the absence, more or less complete, of the secondary 

 sexual characteristics. The penis is small and the prepuce 

 very long, as in children; the scrotum does not develop; 

 the prostate and the seminal vesicles are minute. The 

 beard is scarce and the face is early covered with wrinkles, 

 so that they appear as old men early in life. The hair, 

 the eyebrows, the eyelashes are preserved, but become 

 white very early, while in the axilla, chest and pubis the 

 hairs are few or absent. 1 The poor development of the 

 muscles give a rounded appearance. The flesh is soft, 

 pale, flaccid. The neck is round, and smooth as that of a 

 woman. The shoulders slant downwards and the thorax 

 is narrow, in contrast to the width of the hips and pelvis. 

 Hypertrophy of the breasts is frequent. The skin is soft 

 and white. In other words, these individuals have a 

 tendency to change towards the feminine type. The 

 larynx stays narrow. Adam's apple does not protrude. 

 The voice is high pitched. Finally, all sexual desire is 

 absent. These individuals lack energy and cannot accom- 

 plish any strenuous work; they have no will power. 



1 It is believed that the hair of the head, the eyebrows and eyelashes are under the 

 control of the thyroid, while the hairs of the beard, of the axilla and the pubis are under 

 the dependence of the genital organs. 



