NUTRITIONAL MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY IN THE GUINEA PIG AND RABBIT

Abstract

A diet is described, which leads to a progressive, highly selective, and ultimately fatal dystrophy of the voluntary muscles. Guinea pigs and rabbits are susceptible, rats resistant. The diet used is complete in known requirements, except for vitamin E; the addition of this factor, however, does not prevent the development of the disease. The lesions are not due to inanition, infection, or scurvy, and must be referred to some still unknown factor.