13 
nine instances was the primitive formula not encountered. In six of these 
instances the index was equal in length to the ring finger, 3>2 = 4>5>1. 
Of these six, five were of white admixture, namely one man (McM. 1), 
three boys (McM. 11 and 13; Ch.-white breed 3) and one girl (Cree-white 
9). One boy (Ch. 4) was likely pure. In three instances the index exceeded 
the ring finger in length, the formula being 3>2>4>5>1. Of these three 
one man (Ch. 16) was almost certainly of white admixture, one old man 
(Cree 27) was of white admixture, and one woman (F-d-1 17) was said to be 
pure. Of these nine, therefore, in which the formula departed from the 
primitive, seven have, with reasonable certainty, some white blood in 
their veins. 
Of the 434 Indians, men, women, and children, examined last year, 
in only two cases was the index equal to the ring finger and in only one 
case, greater. 
Teeth. Finding last year among the Cree and Saulteaux Indians of 
northeastern Manitoba that it was the rule and not the exception to find 
the lower incisor teeth crowded together and overlapping each other, it 
was decided to make further observations this year; for the condition 
cannot be without significance. It is natural to attribute it directly or 
indirectly to some dietetic deficiency, or to some endocrine disturbance; 
or, it may conceivably indicate, and be the result of, a shortening of the 
jaw in these Indians. This year’s findings are much the same as those of 
last year. The lower incisor teeth of approximately 70 per cent 1 of all the 
Indians examined this year were out of true alinement; and in about 30 
per cent of cases the upper incisors were involved in addition to the lower 
incisors. In one instance a pre-molar, and in another a canine was out of 
line. Pure Chipewyans are affected with about the same frequency as 
breeds. The Crees suffer least. The condition was almost as frequently 
met with in children (pure Indians and breeds of 10-19 years of age) as it 
was in adults. 
Dental Caries. The teeth were systematically examined for caries. 
If any tooth was found to be missing or decayed its appropriate space was 
scored across on the form prepared for this purpose. Though minor degrees 
of caries undoubtedly escaped notice, it is unlikely that any cavity of 
appreciable size, or that any missing tooth, is unrecorded. Pyorrhoea 
alveolaris and gingivitis are not regarded as caries, and records were not 
made of these conditions. 
In appendix XI, page 58, the details of the state of the teeth of each 
individual are given and the reader is referred to this. From this appendix 
it is calculated that: 
1 F-d-l, men, 64% of the 31 examined. 
Ch,, men and old men, 79% of the 19 examined. 
F. and F.S., men and old men, 76% of the 21 examined. 
Cree, men and old men, 53% of the 33 examined. 
Pure, men and old men, 77% of the 44 examined. 
Breeds, men and old men, 80% of the 20 examined. 
Women, 68% of the 19 examined. 
Boys, 68% of the 25 examined. 
Girls, 41% of the 22 examined. 
134 — 2 * 
