From the Luttrell Psalter to the Lobster Boy: Split hand and foot awaken many facets of human nature

Elspeth McPherson; Heather McPherson

doi:10.1002/ajmg.c.31889

From the Luttrell Psalter to the Lobster Boy: Split hand and foot awaken many facets of human nature

Am J Med Genet C Semin Med Genet. 2021 Jun;187(2):157-159. doi: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31889. Epub 2021 May 12.

Authors

Elspeth McPherson^{1

2}, Heather McPherson³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin, USA.
³ Department of Art and Art History, University of Alabama, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

PMID: 33982415
DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31889

Abstract

A marginal illustration of a non-ambulatory child in the 14th Century Luttrell Psalter is the earliest currently identifiable image of an individual with Split Hand Split Foot with Long Bone Deficiency (SHFLD). Changes in portrayal of SHFLD over the centuries reflect changes in social perception of disabilities from pious sympathy to scientific curiosity and unfortunately also morbid fascination. Hopefully understanding of the past attitudes toward split hand and foot as reflected in art can help in moving toward acceptance of individuals with this highly visible malformation.

Keywords: art; disability; ectrodactyly; split hand split foot.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Child
Foot Deformities, Congenital*
Hand Deformities, Congenital*
Human Characteristics
Humans
Limb Deformities, Congenital*
Male
Tibia