As I was later thinking about it, though, I began to wonder if those lines
on the palms do really have some correlation to health/longevity/etc.  For
example, it does seem to be that the palm lines/creases are genetically
determined, so maybe they are a "fuzzy-window" into some our genetic
structure.  I also have heard that Downs Syndrome people usually have a
single major line running horizontally across their palm instead of the usual
two parallel lines for the typical person (don't remember the names of those
lines from palmistry).

So, with all of that, have there been any carefully constructed scientific
studies with the purpose of statistically correlating palm lines to health/
longevity/etc.?

Jon Noring

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Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "Skepticism is the chastity of the intellect, and

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                                G.

Author:       Newrick PG; Affie E; Corrall RJ.
Address:      Department of Medicine, Bristol Royal Infirmary.
Title:        Relationship between longevity and lifeline: a manual study of
              100 patients [see comments].
Journal:      Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, 1990 Aug,
              83(8):499-501.
Abstract: The relationship between length of lifeline and age at death has been
    evaluated in 100 consecutive autopsies. A highly significant association
    between the two was discovered which was strengthened further when hand
    size was controlled for. We feel that a powerful new prognostic sign may
    thus be within grasp.
Comment Note: Comment in: J R Soc Med 1990 Nov;83(11):753; Comment in: J R Soc
              Med 1991 Jan;84(1):60.
Subject:      Age Factors, Female, *Hand, Human, *Longevity, Male,
             *Parapsychology.

A proper study would have to examine life lines of comparable individuals
and observe subsequent longevity. In today's society, death causes are
sufficiently complex that the idea of an at-birth predictor is humorous.

Perhaps other comments were of the nature of "Pun intended?". Or more
simply "Bwaaahaaahaaahaaahaaa".
--
         Tarl Neustaedter       Stratus Computer

Disclaimer: My employer is not responsible for my opinions.

First, I agree with Tarl that this study is probably flawed.  The sample is
too small to make any clear correlations, particularly since the causes
of death are numerous.

Second, it is not clear that the length of the "lifeline" and the other lines
would increase as a person ages (the depth and "degree" of the wrinkleness of
the lines would increase, though).

Third, it appears to me that the patterns of the palm lines (including length
and position) are genetically determined (which gene or genes do that I don't
know).  Thus, as I said in my original post, it is a plausible hypthesis
(not a theory mind you) that the palm print may be a "fuzzy" window into some
of a person's genetic structure.  Thus, a carefully constructed study (which
includes a large sample) correlating the lines of palmistry to health/
mortality/specific illnesses might yield interesting results.  The most likely
result (other than showing no correlation) is that certain illnesses that have
a genetic basis (or a genetic predisposition) may have recognizable palm line
patterns.  Downs Syndrome is one example where there is a clear correlation
(but as has been pointed out, this is not 100% predictive).

Some questions.  Has such a study has been done?  And, what gene (or genes)
determine the palm lines pattern - and if this is known, do these genes also
affect other parts/workings of the body?

Questions, questions...

Jon "Your lifeline is very long, you will live to be 140" Noring

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Charter Member --->>>  INFJ Club.

If you're dying to know what INFJ means, be brave, e-mail me, I'll send info.
=============================================================================

| JKN International   | IP    : 192.100.81.100   | FRED'S GOURMET CHOCOLATE |
| 1312 Carlton Place  | Phone : (510) 294-8153   | CHIPS - World's Best!    |
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Gordon Banks  N3JXP      | "To the intelligent, life is infinitely mysterious.

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The Simian line occurs in about 1% of hands in the general population.
However, it occurs in about 50% of cases of Down's syndrome, 40% of cases of
Trisonomy 8 Mosaicism (an extra C-group chromosome), and about 75% of cases
of Edward's syndrome (an extra E-group chromosome).

Other interesting feautures include the following: 90% of digits on Edward's
syndrome have simple arch fingerprints (cf 9% generally).
Absence of the top crease on the little finger occurs in about 26% of Down's
syndrome cases, and 80% of Edward's syndrome cases, but almost never in the
general population.
Another important feature is the axial tri-radius, a kind of triangular
discontinuity found in the skin ridge flow patterns near the centre of
the base of the palm. This is frequently found to be 'displaced', ie
further up the palm in cases of genetic abnormality.

In short, there are some very strong correlations between features of the
hand and genetic conditions. While none of the features alone is 100%
predictive, if several are found there will be a very strong suggestion of
some kind of abnormality. At the very least, such results should be
enough to sway those sceptics who maintain that all lines and patterns on
the hand are purely random, and unrelated to anything else. And if the hands
are related to genetic predisposition in abnormal, extreme cases,
isn't it possible that they could be related in *all* cases, provided
you know what to look for?

References:

Achs et al    'Unusual dermatoglyphics associated with major con{*filter*}
               malformations.'                      New Eng J Med Dec 1966
Beckman et al 'Finger and palm dermal ridge patterns in normal and mongoloid
               individuals'                       Acta Genet v12 1962
Schmidt R et al 'Dermatoglyphic studies in parents of children with
                 Trisonomy 21'                  Clinical Genetics v20 1981
Penrose LS     'The distal triradius in the hands or parents and siblings
                of mongol imbeciles'          Ann Hum Gen v19 1954
Penrose LS      "Dermatoglyphics in Trisomy 17 or 18'
                                                  J Ment Defic Res v13 1969

PS - Cheirology is analysis of the hand which differs in 3 main ways
     from tradional palmistry:
 - it does not attempt to predict the future, but rather to ascertain the
   physical and psychological health at the current moment in time.
 - it uses the 'elements' of earth, fire, water and air as descriptive
   tools to label the lines, fingers and phallanges etc.
 - it has principles based on these elements, such that if as a hand-
   analyst you come across some pattern you haven't seen before, you
   should be able to work out its significance from first principles.

I could waffle on for ages about cheirology, and its interpretation of
these and other results, but it's about time I got back to work!

                                   Roop.