These may be grouped as follows: 1. Contractions due to pathological processes taking place in the cutaneous and fascial structures of the palm and palmar surface of the fingers. This includes the so-called “contraction of the palmar fascia,” with which the name of the great surgeon Dupuytren is inseparably connected, as well as another affection of similar character, but different pathological origin. 2. Contractions due to developmental irregularities in the bony and ligamentous elements of the articulations. Under this heading come the deformity which may be termed “hammer finger” and the closely allied lateral distortions of the digits—affections which are chiefly of importance in their bearing upon analogous conditions of the toes. 3. Contractions arising from shortening of the finger flexors, without paralytic or spastic complications. 4. Contractions due to unbalanced action of the flexor muscles after accidental solution of continuity of the extensor tendons. 5. Contractions arising from nutritive changes in the motor apparatus consequent upon long immobilisation of the part, with pressure; or from inflammatory processes in the inter-muscular planes, or in the muscles themselves. 6. Contractions dependent upon inflammatory articular disease of traumatic or constitutional origin. 7. Contractions of neuropathic origin, paralytic or spastic. Under this denomination, as under the last, only those questions which concern the surgeon will be taken into consideration. 8. Trigger finger; a condition not yet susceptible of scientific classification. 9. Congenital deformities not included under any of the preceding headings. CONTRACTIONS INVOLVING THE DIGITAL AND PALMAR FASCIÆ.