Observations on the arrested twin development of Jean Battista Dos Santos, born at Faro in Portugal in 1846 / by P.D. Handyside.

  • Handyside, P. D. (Peter David), 1808-1881.
Date:
1866
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Observations on the arrested twin development of Jean Battista Dos Santos, born at Faro in Portugal in 1846 / by P.D. Handyside. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tend the back of the abnormal thigh. We shall then see, in Dos Santos’ additional limb, a marked instance of congenital contraction of the hamstrings, combined with an extreme case of congenital Tales equinus. In viewing these features, it may be borne in mind that in all extreme cases of talipes equinus, owing to the shortened sural muscles and tendons,1 the sole of the foot is so much extended at the ankle-joint that its plantar aspect is set at an obtuse angle with the calf of the leg. When, in addition to this, the flexor tendons of the knee-joint also are contracted, so that the region of the calf is set at an acute angle with the back of the thigh, then the lines of these two angles together seem to complete nearly three sides of a rhomboid, as on the margin ; in which we find the sole of the foot running up parallel to the back of the thigh, and the dorsum of the retracted foot presenting its surface backwards,—that is, on the same vertical plane with the spinal column. Accordingly, on a close examination of Dos Santos, made while standing behind his person (as already suggested) a very acute angle—of 40°—may be noticed at his contracted knee-joint j an obtuse angle—of 158°—at his over¬ extended ankle-joint, as measured immediately over the insertion of the two united tendines Achillis ; while his two contracted plantar fasciae, united edge to edge, form, between the four w^ell-marked eminences of the balls of the heel and great toes, one deep longitu¬ dinal grove or recess. Apart from the remarks already made, presumptive evidence in favour of the congenital character of these contractions in Dos Santos’ third limb is afforded, in the absence of every trace of the patellae ; bones which are not formed earlier than the third year of life. X. Ilis general characters.—It may be added, that Dos Santos’ is an unusually interesting case of abnormal development, in so far as none of his functions, physical or mental, appear to be at all impaired ; but are, if anything, rather above par. For his time of life, even with his nationality, he manifests a strong masculine development; and this is more especially visible not only in the structure of his skin, hair, muscular conformation—which is both robust and athletic,—breadth of shoulders, and strong marking of 1 See a woodcut at page 11 of Dr Little’s work on Club-foot, representing a preparation in the museum of the London Hospital, which exhibits the bones of a congenital talipes equinus in a young man. Here the plantar region of the entire foot forms an obtuse angle with the calf of the leg.