From these cases, it seems reasonable to drawthe conclusion, that the softened infant pelvis does in a great many cases assume the cordifonn shape, and that without any back ward spinal curvature ; but, on the contrary, the case quoted by Naegele shows that it is co-existent with excessive forward curvature of the lumbar spine, such as would throw the weight of the body entirely in front of the vertically placed pelvic brim ; and thus, accord ing to Dr. Murphy's view, of necessity, pro duce the ovate and not the angular deformity.
We may also conclude that when, by mecha nical causes, the angular shap e is impressed upon the softened infant pelvis, it will 3 ield most readily and extensively at its weakest point — viz. the still cartilaginous line of ilio-pubic junction in the acetabulunz ; and that, as in the instances now given, and indeed in all that I have myself examined, the shape of the angu lar pelvis resulting from rickets in infancy is never rostrated, in the sense to vthich that expression is confined in the present article; but, that this form is usually seen only in the angularly deformed pelvis resulting from the mollifies ossium of adults, and commenc ing after the pelvis has attained its adult de velopment and consolidation, when the bend most comrnonly takes place in the centre of the superior pubic ramus, which, in thick ness, and, in some diseased conditions, as the analysis before given shows, in composition also, is the weakest point of the pelvic circle in the adult. This will, I think, be found a
general and useful distinguishing mark between the angular pelvis resulting from rickets, and that of the adult mollifies ossium.
Whether, on the other hand, the adult pel vis, softened by mollifies ossiuni, or the rickets of adults, ever assumes the ovate form of dis tortion, is a question of supposition merely. I have not been able to find any recorded cases of such a result, though there is no evi dent reason why this should not occur, under certain mechanical conditions. Rokitansky found that the ovate and hour-glass distortions are, almost without exception, the result of in fantile rickets.