MONSTJlUaiTIES. 



403 



curvature of the spine backwards, downwards, or to one side ; so that 

 the pelvis and posterior limbs are directed forwards, to one side, or 

 over the back, while the abdominal cavity bein^ open, allows its viscera 

 to Hoat about unprotected. There are many degrees of this deformity. 

 Sometimes tlie abdominal cavity is open, the thorax being undeformed 

 and closed in posteriorly by the diaphragm, and the ribs attached to 

 the sternum (Schistoconniis fissicentralis, Gurlt, Fig. 107). Sometimes 

 the posterior end of the spine is curved forward to the middle of the 



Fig. 106. 

 Sv>iELi.\.v Mo.NsTKOsrrv (SAiNT-HiL.vntK) ; Perosomits jiiendotceluti (iiiiu.T) : Vig. 



back (ScJiistoconmis rcflcxus, Gurlt) ; the ribs follow in the same 

 direction, but instead of bending downwards to enclose the chest, they 

 spring upwards towards the dorsal spines ; the sternum is absent or 

 divided throughout its length {Schistocormus Jisslstcrnalis, Gurlt, 

 Fig. 107), with evisceration of thoracic organs — most fre(]uently the 

 heart {Ectopia cordis, Fig. 108) ; the diaphragm )s not present, the 



Fig. 107. 

 Ci L3bOMi.vN MoNSTRasiTY (.*^.\int-Hil.\irk) ; Schiitocormiis JUfivfnfralijt (Gurlt) : Calk. 



chest is as widely open as the abdomen, and the viscera of both 

 cavities are external to the body (.S. Schistcpigastrico-steritalis). At 

 other times the spine is twisted, and the body and head divided 

 {Schistosotnus contortiis) ; or other deformities of a similar kind, and 

 more or less complex, may be found. The skin follows the displace- 

 ment of the various regions — the external surface being generally in 

 contact — while the lining membrane of the chest or abdomen, or both, 

 becomes external ; sometimes to such an extent is this inversion of the 



