A remarkable example of the manner in which pressure-changes in the skeleton may reveal the labour-history of the individual / by W. Arbuthnot Lane.

  • Lane, William Arbuthnot, 1856-1943.
Date:
[1887]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A remarkable example of the manner in which pressure-changes in the skeleton may reveal the labour-history of the individual / by W. Arbuthnot Lane. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    but in doing so, it still formed a part of the socket, in which the head of the radius could rotate without its flexion being interfered with by its presence. The margin of the radial head was smooth, and covered by cartilage over nearly three-fifths of its area, this smooth surface being limited in front and behind by marginal bosses, which also limited the rota- tion of which the radius was capable. The non-articular margin presented at its lower part irregular bossing of bone. In the loiver radio-ulnar articulation the area of the opposing facets was limited, the margins being abruptly defined and prominent. They were covered by a thin layer of articular cartilage. The inter- articular fibro-cartilage was perforated along its attachment to the margin of the radius, except where it was continuous with the anterior and posterior inferior radio-ulnar ligaments. The head of the ulna was seen through the perforation in the fibro-cartilage. In some labourers I have seen this fibro-cartilage completely removed, and the opposing surfaces of cuneiform bone and ulna densely ebumated. This perforation is obviously due to force acting on the radius, displacing it a little upwards, and pressing upon and destroying the tense fibro-cartilage. The thorax was well made and typically masculine in character. The 1st pair of ribs were strong, but not very broad. On pressing on the 1st costal arch in a downward direction no tilting was obtained, its articulations with the column being particularly firm and allowing of very little movement. The 1st rib on the right side articulated with the spinal column in a manner which I had never bcfox*e seen (see fig. 1). Two pro- minent bony processes projected outwards from the bodies of the 7th cervical and 1st dorsal vertebrae in such a manner as to enclose between them the head of the 1st rib, for which they formed a socket. This socket only permitted of a rotation of the rib around the transverse axis of its head. The process of bone which projected from the body of the 7th cervical was much the larger. It was more than half an inch long and very dense. It altogether opposed any upward movement of the head of the rib. The connection of the rib to the transverse process of the 1st dorsal vertebra was very strong, and allowed of very limited move- ment. Though the connection of the left 1st rib with the column was very firm, there was no new bone formation as on the right side. The appearances presented by the right costo-vertebral articulation were altogether different from those seen in labourers who carry loads upon their trunks. In them the head of the rib is large and flat, and allows of considerable movement in some cases, as it receives the powerful pressure transmitted to it through the clavicle. In this case, then, it would appear that the character of the work performed necessitated a very considerable fixation of the 1st costal arch, and especially of its right half, so that the right clavicle might have a firm or even rigid base to work upon. Also, that the amount of force transmitted to it by the clavicle was not enormous, though probably considerable, and that the movements performed by the 1st