672 



DEGENERATIVE REACTIONS OF MUSCLE AND NERVE. 



latter. The currents used under such circumstances must be only of moderate 

 strength. Strong tetanic contractions are to be avoided as injurious and likewise 

 unduly prolonged action. 



The galvanic current may likewise be applied either to the muscle alone or 

 to the motor nerve or even to its center, or to both nerve and muscle at the same 

 time. As a rule, under such circumstances, the kathode should be applied to the 

 point whose irritability is lowered, as under its influence the irritability is in- 

 creased. The anode is placed at some indifferent point, for example upon the 

 sternum. Stroking along the nerve with the kathode, as well as variation in the 



N. obturator. 

 M. pectineus. 



M. adductor magnus. 

 M. adductor longus. 



N. peroneus. 



M. tibial. antic. 



M. exten. dig. com. long. 



M. peroneus longus. 



M. peroneus brevis. 



M. exten. hallucis. long. 



M. exten. digit, comm. brevis. 



N. cruralis. 



M. tensor fasciae latae (Nn. glut, 

 sup.) 



M. quadriceps femoris (general 

 center). 



M. rectus femoris. 



M. cruralis. 



M. vastus externus. 



M. vastus internus. 

 M. gastrocnem. extern. 

 M. soleus. 



M. flexor hallucis long. 

 M. abductor digiti min. 



Mm. interossei dorsales. 



FIG. 239. Motor Points of the Peroneal and Tibial Nerves on the Anterior Aspect of the Leg and Thigh. 

 Peroneal nerve on the left, tibial nerve on the right (after Eichhorst). 



strength of the current, is believed to increase the favorable effect. When the 

 seat of the lesion is in the central organs, galvanization may be applied along 

 the vertebral. column, or to the vertebral column and the course of the nerve 

 at the same time, or to the head (with care), or when possible at the suspected 

 seat of the disease, for example the speech-center or the central convolutions. 

 Care should be taken to avoid currents of undue strength and applications of pro- 

 longed duration. 



The varied reaction of the paralyzed nerves and muscles to the induced con- 

 stant current is especially noteworthy. This relation has been well designated 

 the reaction of degeneration. In the hrst place, the physiological fact should be 



