GIGANTISM. — In true gigantism the body grows symmetrically. In acro megaly the abnormal development is promiscuously localized. Gigantism and acromegaly may, however, be present in the same case.
Acromegaly may be regarded as a par tial giant-growth, but it differs very essentially from the latter. In gigan tism the length of the body is over six times the length of the foot; in aerome galy it is under six times the length of the foot. Virehow (Berliner klin. W'oeh., Feb. 4, '89).
Case of an Indian, exhibited as a giant, who had, in addition to symptoms of acromegaly, facial hemibypertrophy. At the autopsy the pituitary gland was found to be much hypertrophied.
Case of another professional giant seven feet and five inches tall, who had only some symptoms of the disease. Aeromegaly is sometimes associated with giant-growth. Dana (N. Y. Med. Jour., Aug. 12. '93).
Case in a man, six feet and seven inches in Another ease cited. height seven feet and four inches, in which there was hemihypertrophy of the face, on the left side. This is a rare
combination. being only the eleventh known. Dana (.Jour. of Nervous and Mental Dis., Nov., '93).
Case of aeromegaly in a giantess. Byrom Bramwell (Edinburgh Med Jour., Jan., '94).
Autopsy on a giant from Egypt, show• ing exostoses and diffuse porous osteo periostitis. Sirena (La Med. Mod., July 08, '94).
Autopsy on a German giant who had not begun to grow abnormally before –8 the age of 36 years. Fritsch and Klebs (Comes. f. Schweizer Aerzte, p. 662, '93).
[In both cases there was acquired gigantism, which is the most common form. It would seem that gigantism, as well as dwarfism, arises from a disease occasioning disturbances of growth, and that, owing to the osseous lesions fre quently present, there is a certain anal ogy with acromegaly. Unilateral hyper trophy of the face is of rare occurrence. P. SOLLIER, Assoc. Ed., Annual, '95.]