TOO MANY RIBS

Evening Star, Issue 22031, 17 May 1935, Page 5

TOO MANY RIBS

ANATOMICAL ABNORMALITY (Feb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, May 16. The rare case of a man with an extra pair of ribs—l 3 instead of the usual 12 —was recently discovered in Auckland. The extra pair of ribs, however, proved a handicap rather than an advantage, and the anatomical abnormality was removed a few days ago in a private hospital. The man, who, after a fashion, has reversed the position of Adam and found himself in possession of two extra ribs instead of being one short, is-My Charles Headland, of Birkenhead, a baker. He was not aware of the abnormality until recently when he began to suffer from ill-health. Spasmodic headaches and similar indispositions led him to seek medical advise, and after a study of the case his 1 doctor ordered an X-ray examination. This disclosed a “freak” pair of upper ribs. The structure of the 1 human body allows of 12 pairs of ribs. Seven, the upper or true ribs, are attached to tho breast-bone, and the lower five are shorter in front. In Mr Headland’s case it was thought that the top right “ freak ” rib was pressing on a nerve centre in the region of tho shoulderblad.e, and was causing tho various disorders from which he suffered. Consultations followed, and Mr Headland was admitted to a private hospital. An operation was carried out this week, and the “ freak ” rib was successfully removed. Mr Headland is expected tp regain his normal health after convalescence. . Rare instances of people with 13 pairs of ribs have been reported from time to time, and according to one prominent surgeon the case is not singular, even in New Zealand, although it is an abnormality seldom encountered.