Sirenomelia: mermaid syndrome.

Sirenomelia, or "mermaid syndrome," represents a severe form of caudal regression. It is a rare congenital malformation that is incompatible with life. In the following case report, a double inferior vena cava was also present, and this anomaly in association with sirenomelia has not been reported. Ultrasound may be useful in the early antenatal detection of this anomaly. This is the first case of sirenomelia reported in the black race.

Spousal abuse.

Spouse abuse is being discussed and agonized over more frequently than in past years. Although interpousal and intrafamilial violence have been behaviors of note and considerable consequence, they have been attributable, almost exclusively, to the lower socioeconomic classes. Many hypotheses have been proposed concerning the etiology of violence. The author discusses some of the more general sociopolitical theories of violence and proposes three areas of significant moment to behaviorists.