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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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from the shoulder to the elbow , has only one bone , which is articulated at the shoulder by a round head , and connected to it by ligaments , which inclose the whole joint as in a bag . That the joint qriay have the freest motion the hollow for receiving the
arm-bone k extremely shallow : the end of the bone and thehollow are lined with cartilage , and the latter is constantly moistened with an oily fluid supplied for the purpose . The lower end of the arm-bone is articulated with the bones of the fore-arm at the elbow , carrying them with it in all its
motions . The fo re-arm is composed of two bones , called the ulna aud the radius . The ulna , so named from its having been used as a measure , is the longer of the two , and is extended from the
wrist on the side of the little ringer to the point of the . elbow . The radius is but partially articulated with the end of the arm-bone , it carries the wrist with a rotatory motion , and for this purpose it is so articulated with the ulna at the ends , the only points where these bones meet , that it turns upon it in half circles . There is in these bones
much mechanical contrivance . For the perfect use of the limb two motions are wanted ; a motion at the elbow backward and forward , called a reciprocal motion ; and a rotatory motion , by which the palm of the hand may be turned upwards . To manage this ,
the fore-arm , as we have seen , consists of two bones , lying by the side of each other , but touching only towards the ends . One of these only is joined to the arm at the elbow , and the other is joined to the hand at the wrist . The
former , by means of a hinge joint at the elbow , swings backward and forward , carrying with it the other bone and the whole fore-arm , and in tuning the hand upwards that other bone to which the hand is attached rolls
upon the first , by the help of a groovy wear each end of the bone , to which is fitted a corresponding prominence hi fhe other . If both bones had been Jfeifted to the upper arm at the elbow , or both to the hand at the wrist , the
Jtong could not have been performed . The first was to be at liberty at one nd ,. and the second at the other , by which means the two actions may be Performed together- The great bone which carries the fore-arm may be * wi « ging upoi | its hinge at the elbow ,
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at the same moment that the lesser bone which carries the hand may 6 e turning round it in the grooves . The hand comprehends all from the joint of the wrist to the ends of the
fingers ; its back part is convex for greater firmness and strength , and it is concave before for containing more conveniently such bodies as we take hold of .
Anatomists divide the hand into the earpus or wrist-bones ; the metacarpus or bones that stand upon the wrist , and serve as a basis to the fingers ; and the fingers , consisting each of three joints . The carpus or wrist is
composed of eight bones , disposed in two rows , so formed and arranged as to allow motion on all sides ; and by a quick succession of these motions the hand may be moved in a circle . The lower row is articulated with the bones
of the metacarpus , to which they serve as a solid foundation or centre . The metacarpus consists of four long round bones for sustaining the fingers i they are founded on the wrist-bones , but depart from them as from a centre in a radiated form , in order to allow the fingers a freer play .
The thumb and fingers are each composed of three bones . The bones of the thumb are stronger than those of the fingers , because the former are intended to couateract the latter . A )( the bones of the fingers are placed in three rows , called phalanges . The first set is articulated with the bones of the
metacarpus and consists of the largest bones ; the second stands out from the first , and the last row or phalanx grows out from the second and completes the fingers . The different bones composing the fingers are all regularly jointed with each other , and in such a manner
as to allow not only a hinge joint , but also a rotatory motion . The human hand has always been an object of admiration to the . philosopher . Thus Galen , in speaking of
the uses of the several parts of the body , says , " As man is the wisest of all animals , so the hands are the organs most suited to a being endowed with wisdom . For man is not wise because
he has hands , as was the opinion of Anaxagoras ; but Nature gave him hands , because he was endowed with wisdom to make use of them . " The same philosopher inquires , Whether tha hand has not the best possible conformation ? And in speaking of the different
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^ Natural Theology . No . IX . —Mechanical Afrengement of the Bo $ y . 565
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VOL . X . 4 l >
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1815, page 565, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1764/page/33/
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