DEFECTIVE DEVELOPMENT. 133 



child is played with, her fingers spread open spon- 

 taneously, as also when attention is specially drawn 

 to the other hand. When one's finger is slipped 

 into her hand, her fingers grasp it, and cannot let it 

 go unless the fingers happen to open of themselves* 

 When she makes an effort and puts her legs out 

 of bed to show her feet, the involuntary movements 

 of the hands and fingers are increased, and move- 

 ments of pronation and supination are noticeable. 



The toes of both feet are continually being flexed 

 and extended, but these movements are less in 

 degree, and less characteristic in kind than those 

 of the hands. She can kick her legs about in bed, 

 but cannot walk. 



The eyes and special senses are normal, and 

 general sensation is good. Heart and lungs healthy. 



The movements are very strange and purposeless ; 

 in kind they have more resemblance to voluntary 

 movements than is usual in athetosis, and less of 

 the gliding, successive-rhythmical character. 



During sleep the hands are usually quiet. 



This condition of the child appeared to have 

 existed from birth. There were no signs of pro- 

 gressive disease. 



o 



The family were quite healthy. 

 DEFECTIVE DEVELOPMENTAL CONDITIONS AS SEEN 



PKINCIPALLY IN CHILDREN.* 



In seeking for explanation of the circumstances 

 attendant upon and causing some of the special 



* From Medical Times and Gazette, January 21, January 28, 

 and February 11, 1882. 



