HAND IN REST. 159 



nearer, are in the same state ; the collateral parts, 

 the lingers and metacarpals, are all in similar rela- 

 tion ; there is no collateral differentiation. 



The feeble hand. If the disengaged hand of a 

 feeble child or woman is held out, we commonly 

 see a slight, but important, departure from the 

 hand in rest. The thumb is drooped, and its meta- 

 carpal bone is approximated to the palm, all the 

 metacarpals being bent round as in the convulsive 

 hand. This is a posture often seen. 



The hand in rest may be seen in a strong and 



Fig. 21. The Hand in Rest. 



healthy subject during sleep, also when the hand 

 hangs free and quiet, as when doing nothing, and 

 in a state of mental quiescence. I have often seen 

 it during quiet conversation, and in men while 

 walking or travelling. The metacarpus is often 

 slightly contracted, but not to such a marked 

 degree as in the " feeble hand." 



The " feeble hand " and the " hand in rest " have 

 the same anatomical description, but they differ in 

 degree. It was the result of clinical observation 

 that induced me to describe the two forms. The 



