PREVIOUS studies with domestic albino rats have shed some light upon the interrelationship of somatic and sympathetic activity and paralysis, upon the circulatory and nutritional status of the extremities, and upon the effect of adequacy of blood supply on somatic neural repair. It was found that interruption of the common iliac and common femoral arteries resulted in a high incidence of ischemic paralysis and a low incidence of tissue necrosis.1 Recovery of function from this ischemic paralysis was hastened by homolateral sympathetic ganglionectomy. Section of the sciatic nerve in combination with such arterial interruption was followed by a marked delay in return of neurologic function and a striking increase in the occurrence of tissue necrosis. Sympathectomy greatly reduced the frequency of necrosis of tissue. Division of the common femoral and iliac arteries prolonged significantly the interval before return of neurologic function after crushing of the sciatic nerve, while sympathetic