THE PRINCIPLES OE MYODYNAMICS. 125 



the apex of the femoral head in the long axis of 

 the femoral neck to the outer surface of the 

 great trochanter is about four inches ; (8.) The 

 neck of the femur generally meets the shaft at 

 an obtuse angle from above downward ; the 

 neck may, however, be depressed till it meets 

 the shaft at a right angle — or even an acute 

 angle — especially in old age ; (9.) The length 

 of the adult femur is about seventeen inches. 



I r8. The two following facts are worthy of 

 record — namely , 



(i.) One of the lower limbs is generally about 

 one-fourth of an inch longer than the other, — 

 constituting normal asymmetry of the lower 

 limbs. 



(2.) When the upper point of measurement is 

 the superior anterior spine of the ilium, — ab- 

 duction shortens the measurement of the lower 

 limb, — adduction lengthens the measurement of 

 the lower limb. 



(3.) Hence, other things being equal, that 

 lower limb will measure longer than its fellow, 

 which is on the side of the pelvis that is tilted 

 upward. 



