Hammer toe was known long before it became the subject of scientific observation. According to Dr. Cohen,[8] the first printed description was that by a French surgeon named Laforest, in a volume published in 1782, and entitled “L’Art de Soigner les Pieds”; but Laforest was the successor of one Rousselot, who thirteen years earlier wrote a book to which he gave the formidable name of “La Toilette les Pieds, ou Traité de la Guérison des Cors, Verrues, et autres Affections de la Peau, et Dissertation abrégé sur le Traitement et la Guérison des Cancers.” In this essay a flexion of the toes attributed to the use of short shoes is alluded to with sufficient clearness to make it probable that Laforest had succeeded to the ideas as well as to the practice of his predecessor. The first account, however, with any pretensions to science, was that given by Boyer in 1822.[9] Since that time the subject has been discussed repeatedly in France, and within the last few years has been brought forward twice in England, at the Clinical Society in 1887, and at the Medical Society in 1889. The deformity is found in both sexes, but appears to be somewhat more frequent in the male (three to two). The influence of _age_ is very strongly marked. The condition invariably begins within the developmental period, and may show itself at any time between birth and adult life, but most frequently attracts the notice of the patient for the first time during the third quinquennial period. Amongst a number of incipient cases seen at Hanwell not more than one-tenth were under twelve years of age, the little toe being usually the seat of the earlier manifestations. It is said to be occasionally congenital. So far as my own observations go, neither class, occupation, nor constitutional condition, appears to have any share in its production. It has long been a popular as well as a medical opinion that the deformity is handed down by inheritance. Even Laforest, who contests the belief, says, “Je m’entends souvent dire que l’on est né avec un doigt ainsi; que c’est un doigt de famille.” Boyer asserted that it was frequently inherited, and Blum and others have adduced examples in support of this view. In a paper read before the Clinical Society in 1887, I referred to a history in four cases out of twenty-two which had the same bearing; and other striking examples have since been brought forward by Mr. Adams. In fact, some evidence of the influence of the hereditary principle may be traced in at least a fourth of the examples that come under notice, and is particularly frequent and clear amongst patients of the educated classes.