DEGENERATION AND REGENERATION OF NERVES 63 



degeneration the fibers are intact and all traumatic and inflam- 

 matory effect produced by cutting the tissues and the nerve or 

 of tying the latter are obviated; the process of degeneration can 

 be stopped at almost any stage or greatly prolonged, and several 

 stages of degeneration are to be observed in different fibers of 

 the same nerve. In regeneration, the possibilit}^ of an ingrowth 

 of fibers from other nerves into the regenerating nerve under 

 observation is obviated and recovery of the animal can be accom- 

 plished after any stage of degeneration of the peripheral nerves. 

 And lastly, the slowness of the cycle of degeneration and recov- 

 ery, makes it possible to draw a sharper distinction between the 

 process of degeneration and regeneration in meduUated nerve 

 fibers. At the present time these experimental conditions are 

 especially desirable. 



PARALYSIS IN FOWLS RESULTING FROM AN EXCLUSIVE DIET OF 



POLISHED RICE 



A typical case of a fowl which has become unable to walk 

 after a diet of polished rice is found in that of No. 54 whose 

 history is as follows: No. 54, brown hen, fed polished rice since 

 February 7, 1912; 25 days later, on March 3, the first definite 

 signs of unsteadiness in the legs were noted. March 4, the bu-d 

 was found balanced on its 'haunches,' was scarcely able to rise 

 and could not take more than two or three haphazard steps 

 without tumbling over in a heap. The diet was changed to a 

 'regenerative' diet consisting of whole grain, meat scraps, bread, 

 grass, etc. March 14, could stand up very unsteadily for a few 

 seconds but was scarcely able to take a step. March 20, same 

 — never stood up nor attempted to walk unless forced and as- 

 sisted in this. April 3, good general appearance but was scarcely 

 able to walk. April 10, improved, but walked with much diffi- 

 culty. May 3, apparently entirely recovered within the last few 

 days. 



It should be noted that many fowls on the polished rice diet 

 lose complete control of the lower part of the legs. Others show 

 wing drop, droopiness of the head and inability to swallow. 



