46 A Study of the Variations in the Female Pelvis 
Congenital dislocation of the hip was found in one specimen (t 10). The 
displacement, of the right femoral head only, was upward and backward where 
a new socket was formed on the ilium. The deformity produced a tilt to the 
pelvis of approximately 10 degrees downward to the right. A new acetabulum 
was formed, and the femoral head and neck showed practically no change. As 
will be seen by the measurements no alteration is found in the pelvic cavity in 
spite of this deformity. 
In conclusion I would emphasize that a " normal " standard for the pelvis 
should include not only an average, but also a series of measures graded from 
minimum to maximum. A large series would seem necessary in order to include 
the wide variations found among non-diseased pelves. Owing to these great 
differences found among the specimens of such a comprehensive series, less stress, 
I think, should in future be put by the anthropologist on those small differences 
seen in a few or even in a small series of pelves of separate tribes or races, but 
rather the close resemblances should be emphasized in contrast to the great 
differences noted between animals and man. And the changes might be further 
studied and traced which have followed the assumption of the erect attitude. 
Such changes as the differences in the sexes are receiving the attention of 
the embryologist (14). The anatomist is studying the variations of the spine 
and their significance. The obstetrician is constantly seeking more light on 
the interpretation of peculiarities of this complex bony structure. It was my 
desire, therefore, to suggest to the anthropologist an application which may be 
made of his work of collecting and classifying, identifying and interpreting such 
valuable material as is here used, and also to direct his attention to the applied 
anatomy aud physiology of the pelvis : that is the function of weight-bearing 
and child-bearing. 
The popular idea has been that the function of child-bearing among the 
American Indians was always efficient and easy. Engleman(15) confirms this 
idea by saying that labour as a rule among North American Indians is short 
and easy, averaging two hours. As civilization is approached, however, labour 
becomes more extended. Thus half-breeds, as the modern Mexican Indian, 
average three to four hours. He further states that accidents during labour 
are rare when women do not marry out of their tribe, for the child's head is 
in proportion to the pelvis. But deviation from the natural state, he continues, 
brings difficulty. The example is given of the Umpqua tribe, who have inter- 
married with whites and have died, it is stated, during labour in consequence 
of the disproportion between the larger head and the ordinary pelvis. When 
the father of the child, however, was also an Umpqua no such trouble is known 
to have occurred. 
My series of dried specimens bears out in general this clinical evidence, for 
most labours might well have been short and easy so far as the pelvis was 
concerned. About one-fourth, however, would require a rather smaller fetal 
