344
THE ESSEX NATURALIST
Discontinuous morphological traits: Skull — supraorbital
nerve channels clearly defined; patent premaxillary suture pre-
sent on palate. Humerus — epitrochlear foramen present on
right humerus. Other feature: A slight squatting facet (an exten-
sion of the distal articular surface of the tibia thought to be the
result of habitually squatting rather than using chairs) was noted
on the right tibia. (Left tibia not found).
The teeth are moderately crown-worn with medium deposits
of calculus. Periodontal disease has resulted in medium alveolar
resorption, but no caries is present. The enamal of the maxillary
incisors is slightly pitted due to hypoplasia (see below (Burial
III).
Burial III Supine, with arms at sides and legs flexed at knees.
Orientated north-west to south-east with head to south-east. Al-
most complete skeleton of an 8 year-old child. Age calculated
on state of tooth eruption (Schour & Massler, 1941). Consisting
of skull and mandible, vertebrae, scapulae, clavicles, sternum,
ribs, pelvic girdle, humeri, ulnae, radii, metacarpals, femora and
tibia. (Distal ends of tibia and feet removed during digging of
sewage-pipe trench).
The maxillary 1st permanent incisors and 1st permanent
molars together with the corresponding mandibular teeth have
gross enamel hypolasia. (A structural abnormality due to a cause
acting upon the teeth before calcification is complete). It takes
the form of pits or groves in th enamal arranged transversely
to the long axis of the tooth. When seen macroscopically it is
termed 'gross hypoplasia' (Mellanby, 1934). The hypoplasic
markings in this case are formed by a single line or ring of closely
set pits around the incisors and molars, the latter also exhibiting
sharp cusps and pitting to the occlusal surfaces. This particular
form of hypoplasia is the result of an acute illness of short dura-
tion. Well recognised causes are diptheria, gastro-enteritis,
measles and scarlet fever, although any infective disease coin-
ciding with the calcification period of the teeth may interfere
with normal growth. Since the affected teeth were undergoing
calcification synchronously it is determined that the illness in this
case occured when the child was about 9 months old.