STUDY OF A NERVOUS SUBJECT. 261 



one's general, social impression. How shall we pro- 

 ceed by scientific process to analyze the expression 

 before us. Observe the permanent conditions of 

 development the head, the build, and proportions 

 of the body. As to the head, note its size, pro- 

 portions, form, and angles ; the shape of the facial 

 features ears, lips, eyelids, nose ; note whether the 

 form on either side be symmetrical. Observe the 

 postures seen on the average, or occasionally, espe- 

 cially the postures of head, head and eyes, spine, 

 hands, and face ; note signs of symmetry and coin- 

 cident movements. In looking for movements note 

 also whether the hands and other parts are kept 

 free, or whether they are purposely engaged, as in 

 holding book or fan, this mechanical occupation of 

 the hand preventing the fingers from twitching and 

 performing meaningless antics, and so preventing 

 the nervousness and fidgetiness from being socially 

 observable. In this nervous lady the hands will 

 probably be kept not free, she will, unless very 

 young, have learnt to keep her hands engaged when 

 talking, that she may not gesticulate unduly but 

 when her hands are free, finger-twitching may be 

 seen. When her hand is held out, or if it hang- 

 free over the arm of a chair, we may see "the 

 nervous posture " or " the feeble hand ; " if this be 

 seen, look to the posture of the other hand, and 

 note the coincident posture of the head, which 

 usually lolls over away from the side which shows 

 most markedly the nervous hand. Among head 

 postures and movements, slight flexion with rota- 

 tion and inclination to the same side is common in 



