PARALYSIS. 409 
the leg executed numerous and violent contractions, which returned every 
time the current was turned on.” The seatings were not sufficiently repeated 
to insure a noticeable result. While Goubaux doubted the possibility og 
recovery, all the subjects treated by Lebel with blisters and exercise re- 
covered in a few months. 
In many cases, exercise and time are sufficient for a recovery (Bouley). 
The patients should be left loose in a box ; they will be turned out. The 
degenenation of the muscles will be prevented by daily massages, the ap- 
plication on the external surface of the thigh of repeated stimulating or 
blistering frictions or by firing. Subcutaneous injections of veratrine 
Fig. 95.—Paralysis of the femoral nerve. (From a photograph.) 
(0 gra. 10) have a decided advantageous action. Saturated solution of 
salt is less efficacious and sometimes gives rise to rather extensive under- 
mining of pus. 
We prefer iodide of potassium (10 or 20 grammes a day) to nux 
yomica. As soon as walking is possible without being too tiresome, the 
patient should have light exercise. The atrophy of the patellar muscles 
is sometimes well marked, but nevertheless, for it also, recovery is the 
rule ; after three to six months, the muscles have generally resumed their 
normal contractility and size. Incurable cases are almost all hemoglo- 
Dinuric in their origin. 
