284 EXCRETION. 



rine produced. In the production of urea by the general 

 system, which is an analogous process, muscular activity in- 

 creases the quantity, and inaction diminishes it, on account 

 of the effect upon nutrition. In cases of paralysis, we have 

 a diminution of the nutritive forces in the parts affected, 

 especially of the nervous system, which, after a time, be- 

 comes so disorganized that although the cause of the paraly- 

 sis be removed, the nerves cannot resume their functions. It 

 is true we have this disorganization taking place to a certain 

 extent in the muscles, but it is by no means as marked as 

 it is in the nerves. We should be able, then, to confirm the 

 observations on animals, by examining the blood in cases of 

 paralysis, when we should expect to find a very marked dif- 

 ference in the quantity of cholesterine, between the venous 

 blood coming from the paralyzed parts, and the blood from 

 other parts of the body. "With this point in view we made 

 analyses of the blood from both arms, in three cases of 

 hemiplegia. 



Case I. Sarah Rumsby, set. 47, was affected with hemi- 

 plegia of the left side. Two years ago she was taken with 

 apoplexy, and was insensible for three days. When she re- 

 covered consciousness, she found herself paralyzed on the left 

 side. She said she had epilepsy four or five years before the 

 attack of apoplexy. Now she has entire paralysis of motion 

 on the affected side, with the exception of some slight power 

 over the fingers, but sensation is perfect. The speech is not 

 affected. The general health is good. 



Case II. Anna Wilson, set. 23, Irish, was affected with 

 hemiplegia of the right side. Four months ago she was taken 

 with apoplexy, from which she recovered in one day, with loss 

 of motion and sensation on the right side. She is now im- 

 proving and can use the right arm slightly. The leg is not 

 so much improved, because she will make no effort to use it. 



Case III. Honora Sullivan, Irish, set. 40, was affected 

 with hemiplegia of the right side. About six months ago 

 she was taken with apoplexy, and recovered consciousness 



