Classif.,  Causes,  ^c.  It  is  either  local,  as  in
the  case  of  a  limb  which  is  small,  imperfccily
developed,  or  withered ;  or  general,  affecting
the  whole  body.  Gen'ebil  atkopht  appears
to  depend  on  deficient  nutrition,  arising  from
a  want  of  due  balance  between  the  functions
of  assimilation  and  absorption,  or  from  profuse
evacuations  draining  off  the  materials  neces-
sary for  the  support  of  the  body.  In  the  for-
mer case  only  may  it  be  regarded  as  an  inde-
pendent disease.  Lo'CAL  ATiiOFUY  commonly
arises  from  some  cause  which  lessens  the  nor-
mal circulation  of  blood  in  the  part ;  or  from
a  diminution  of  the  nervous  influence,  as  in
paralysis.  General  atrophy  is  most  frequent
in  infancy,  childhood,  and  old  age.  In  the
first  two  it  may  be  often  traced  to  bad  nursing,
worms,  or  a  scrofulous  taint;  and  not  unfre-
quently  to  continually  inhaling  impure  or
damp  air.  In  adults,  the  causes  are  impaired
digestion  and  imperfect  action  of  the  chyli-
fcrouB  organs,  and  sometimes  diseased  action
of  the  liver.  In  many  cases  it  results  from  the
use  of  tobacco.
Treatm.  This  consists  in  a  close  attention
to  diet  (which  should  be  liberal  and  nutritious),
exercise,  clothing,  ventilation,  warmth,  &c.,
with  gentle  etinjulants,  and  chalvbiate  tonics
where  not  contra-indicated;  and,  in  the  case
of  adults,  thu  moderate  use  of  pure  generous
wine  or  umlt-li<|nor.     Among  special  remedies.
both  in  this  disease  and  anscmia,  may  he  men-
tioned pure  sweet  cod-liver  oil,  which  seldom
fails  to  arrest  or  greatly  retard  the  progress  of
the  disease,  and  in  very  many  case-,  effect  an
entire  cure.  When  this  affection  is  symptom-
atic of  any  other  disease,  as  worms,  stomach  or
liver  complaints,  &c.,  the  removal  of  the  latter
must  of  course  be  first  attempted.  See  Anje-
MIA,  Chlobosis,  Tabes,  &c.
