86 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



ischial tuberosity, and the sacral spines. In the shoulders, 

 the spine of the scapula, the coracoid process, the external 

 tuberosity of the humerus are prominent. In the head, the 

 bony outlines of the jaws are markedly visible ; and in addi- 

 tion there is the impaired function due to the weakened state 

 of the shrunken muscles. 



In atrophy of internal organs, the physiologic activity is 

 correspondingly reduced, and as a consequence gives symp- 

 toms according to the particular organ affected. In paired 

 organs, the normal one will undergo compensatory aug- 

 mentation in size and function. 



TREATMENT. — Atrophy due to peripheral paralysis 

 requires the restoration of the nerve's function before there 

 will be any perceptible amelioration of the condition. If the 

 function of the nerve has been destroyed beyond repair, the 

 atrophy will be permanent. No form of treatment is capable 

 of making the least impression upon the wasted organ that 

 would not also restore the function of the nerve, and since 

 the progress of nerve regeneration is one that is but little in- 

 fluenced by either external applications or internal medi- 

 cines, it is very evident that there is no very effectual treat- 

 ment for this form of atrophy. If the nerve is only bruised, 

 if only a part of its axones are injured, or if the trunk is not 

 injured or diseased beyond repair, the function of the. nerve 

 will sooner or later be restored, and with that event the mus- 

 cle will promptly resume its normal size. Friction, massage, 

 electricity, setons, blisters, liniments, internal administration 

 of strychnia and potassium iodide are useful only where pol- 

 icy dominates the situation. Exercise that will encourage 

 general good health while the nerve regenerates, and then 

 friction, massage, etc., to stimulate the growth of the muscle 

 tissue thereafter is the appropriate line of treatment to pur- 

 sue. It is often noted that the atrophied process remains 

 tenaciously obstinate for several months or more, and then 



