_Treatment._—The treatment of hammer finger is a far less simple problem than that of hammer toe, because in the toe the sacrifice of the movement of the affected articulation does not sensibly impair the utility of the digit, while in the fingers an ankylosis of the first inter-phalangeal joint in the position of either flexion or extension would be even more inconvenient than the ligamentous contraction. The measures available are (1) passive movement; (2) subcutaneous section of lateral ligaments, with or without tendon lengthening; and (3) amputation. In the milder cases a persevering use of passive motion will in time effect a cure; but when the contraction has reached an advanced degree it may be impossible to make an impression by this means. We may then divide the lateral ligaments, and keep the fingers straight by means of an extension splint while the tendons are relaxed by flexion of the wrist, trusting to subsequent massage and passive motion, or, failing this, to tendon lengthening (by a process to be described later), to overcome the resistance of the shortened muscles. Section of tendons within the theca is useless, because no uniting material is thrown out between the divided ends. As a last resource, amputation may be demanded to remove a useless and inconvenient member. _Lateral versions of the phalangeal joints._—Lateral versions of the fingers are intimately associated with hammer finger in pathology, and the two distortions are sometimes combined. The lateral inclination, which seldom exceeds 25°, may affect either of the inter-phalangeal joints, but is more frequently in the distal phalanx. Like the “hammer” deformity, it is usually found in the little finger, and is symmetrical. The version is nearly always towards the radial side, and the movements of the joint are a little impaired. Amongst eight hundred children in the Hanwell School were found six cases, of which five were double and affected the little fingers, the sixth being in the fourth digit and unilateral; in two the version was associated with slight hammer flexion. It is occasionally seen in the index finger, and the version is then towards the ulnar side. The condition is rather unbecoming than inconvenient, and cases are seldom brought to the surgeon for relief. It is a result of irregularity of development, the condyle growing a little more rapidly on one side than on the other. The constancy of the radial direction of the version of the little finger is probably explained by the fact that any lateral pressure to which this digit is subjected is from the ulnar side, while in the index finger the pressure is more often from the radial side, and hence an ulnar distortion is here the more usual. The deflected joint may be straightened by the use for a few weeks of a narrow metallic side splint, jointed opposite the articulations. No operation is required.