192 



CHAMBERLAIN, BLOOMBERGH, KILBOURNE. 



fed, consequently we determined to resume feeding Avitli a neuritis-preventing 

 food in tlie hope that Ave could save him and make sure that the leg signs were 

 not due solely to weakness. This we accomplished. August 6, the day following 

 the resmnption of food, the signs of neuritis ivere greatly increased and left no 

 doubt as to the nature of his trouble. The characteristic attitude is well shown 

 in the figiires 11 and 12. 



During the following days, in Avhieh palay, undermilled native rice, and kitchen 

 stuff were fed, the leg and -wing signs became ivorse, but his general condition 

 improved rapidly. He became L>right-eyed, interested in his surroundings, and 

 gained in weight. His appetite needed no stimulation. The peculiar spasticity 

 he had exhibited at the end of the starvation period increased until walking was 

 performed on his toes, with knees almost straight. An effort to photograph and 

 show the spastic gait was only partially successful. During the last week of 

 his life this fowl partially regained the use of his right leg. 



On the 55th day he was chloroformed and the sciatic nerves and spinal cord 

 removed for microscopic examination. The sciatic nerves showed extensive de- 

 generation. No areas of degeneration A\ere found in cross sections of the cord. 



His weight, shown on Chart 5, ran as follows: 



Date. 



-July 14 



July 16 



July 22 



July 23 



July 26 



July 30 



August 3 



August 5 



August 14 



August 20 — 

 August 27 __., 

 September 4. 

 September 6. 



Day. 



Grams. 



1st 



991 



3d ____ 



921 



9th - 



786 



lOth ___- 



772 



Idth . 



722 



I7th . 



687 



21st 



595 



23d 





S2a 



687 



38th 



715 



45th -___ 



708 



53d 



744 



55th 



730 



Remarks. 



Starvation begun. 



Mixed feeding begun. 



Cloroformed. 



His loss of weight to the appearance of signs of. neuritis was 27.2 per cent 

 and at the end of the starvation period had increased to 40.0 per cent. 



Fowl number 41 was put on water alone September 10, 1910. Nothing of 

 importance was noted until September 13 when he became sick with avian 

 diphtheria and died of this infection 5 days later, September 18. 



His loss of weight amounted to 39.4 per cent. 



Microscopic examination of his nerves showed slight degeneration. No clinical 

 signs of multiple neuritis were observed before death. 



Fowl number 42. The water diet was instituted September 10 and was 

 followed by a steady and rapid reduction of weight and muscular strength. On 

 September 20, the 16th day, he Avas very weak, could not stand, and, when 

 prodded, would not move his legs or wings. Although the general weakness was 

 great we were of the opinion that there was probably, in addition, a peripheral 

 nerve involvement. It was thought that he was not too far gone to revive with 

 mixed feeding and a diet consisting of palay and kitchen stuff was then in- 

 stituted, but vi'ithout favorable result, for he was found dead in the cage the 

 next morning, the 18th day. 



