The deformities of the fingers and toes

This compact yet detailed study draws from a series of Hunterian lectures delivered in the early 1890s and has been refreshed with the latest observations of its time. Aimed at surgeons and pathologists, it treats the seemingly modest ailments of fingers and toes as a window onto broader questions of causation, pain, and functional loss. By linking the two extremities, the author shows how similar patterns of contracture and malformation can illuminate each other’s origins.

The first part surveys the many ways the hand can become stiff or twisted, from Dupuytren’s palmar fascia contracture to hammer‑finger deformities and the effects of tendon injury. A parallel discussion follows for the foot, describing club‑foot, hallux valgus, and other common toe distortions. The text also introduces congenital anomalies—extra digits, fused bones, and shortened fingers or toes—offering clear anatomical explanations and practical considerations for early‑stage management.