Deformities
variations in the form of the body as a whole, or in one or more of its parts, constituting a departure from the normal conditions of structure, and usually implying a corresponding divergence from natural and healthy functions. They may be divided into three groups, with reference to their origin-the hereditary, the congenital, and the acquired. The first group is charactendency to recurrence in the line of direct descent from generation to generation, as in those cases where the presence of extra fingers members of one family. or toes has become characteristic of many coming under the heading of congenital The chief varieties of malformation, deformities, are the following: (1) As regards the number of parts. In the Siare fused into the constituent bones of the limb may be one mass, but dissection shows that all present, though much distorted, in the combined structure. In the Cyclops, the eyes are similarly fused into one irregular structure occupying the center of the face. (2) As regards the size of parts.
L DEFREGGER This may involve the whole body, as in dwarfs, of whom there have been some remarkable peripatetic specimens: the Corsican fairy was only 2 feet 7½ inches high. Deformities the opposite of this exist, such as giants, or instances of premature or excessive local growth.
O'Byrne, the Irish giant, measured 8 feet 4 inches when he died at the age of 22.
Such individuals are generally subject to premature decay. (3) As regards the shape and continuity of parts. Distortion may occur from partial paralysis irregular muscular action at an early stage of development, giving rise to club-foot, club-hand, etc.; or natural fissures or apertures which should close in the course of development may remain open, as in harelip, cleft palate, and spina bifida.
Acquired deformities arise in various ways as the result of injury or disease at any period after birth. Another group of these affections, known as "trade" deformities, are directly traceable to the special work done by the person suffering from them. See DARWINIAN THEORY.