STUDIES IN HUMAN HEREDITY 313 



HERMAPHRODITISM. 



For a photograph and description of the hermaphrodite here under 

 consideration, I am indebted to Mr. G. R. Bell of Denver, Colorado. 

 The case is interesting and of significance in this connection on account 

 of the fact that "it" is one of a family marked by anomalies. 



The hermaphrodite dresses in men's attire in public. The absence of 

 facial hair, the presence of large breasts, the general shape of the limbs, 

 and the general female gross appearance of the external genitals, give it 

 female character. A cleft in the rectum is thought to represent a vagina. 

 Menstruation occurs regularly every twenty-eight days. There is present 

 however a penis of about an inch and a half and a fold of skin containing 

 two small bodies, probably testicles. There is no sexual desire. 



The hermaphrodite is one of nine children all of whom have some anom- 

 alous character. One is a "tallest circus giant;" others have six fingers 

 and toes; the mother also has six fingers and toes. This case indicates 

 that there is a general anomaly factor, which may express itself in heredity 

 in one of a number of waj^s including the extreme and rare anomaly of 

 apparently true hermaphroditism. As such it is contrary to general 

 experience according to which anatomic variations have a specific heredity 

 e.g., polydactylism, left-handedness, onyxis, etc. Dr. Q. I. jSimpson of 

 Palmer, Illinois, has written me of a case of hereditary hare-lip dating to 

 pre-revolutionary times. Hermaphroditism in man is probably not hered- 

 itary in the strict sense. In its different degrees it would seem to be due 

 to a factor which generally finds specific expression, as in polydactylism* 

 in this case, but more rarely appears as a more extreme anomaly, as her- 

 maphroditism, gigantism, etc. 



Two cases of hereditary onyxis have come to my notice. Pedigree 

 chart, figure 42, gives the facts in one family kindly secured for me by Dr. 

 H. B. Stone of Baltimore. In the final fraternity of two a boy of five years 

 (B) is abnormal and another of one year is normal. It is commonly be- 

 lieved that ingrowing toe-nails are caused by pressure from tight-fitting 

 shoes. If this were true its heredity would be that of an acquired character. 



*Too late to incorporate in the shape of a chart, Mr. Carrington Williams 

 has given me a direct five-generation history of bilateral polydactylism (six digits) , 

 including a number of affected collaterals. Both males and females are affected, 

 and the abnormalitj' appears dominant. It is hoped that a more detailed study 

 may be made of this family. 



