Stenson1first called attention to the fact that paralysis of the posterior extremities of an animal may follow occlusion of the abdominal aorta. Schiffer2believed this paralysis was of central, rather than peripheral, origin. Volkmann3described a paralysis and contracture of muscles which followed the application of a constricting bandage and expressed the opinion that the cause of this condition was obstruction of the arteries and anemia of the muscles of the constricted extremity. Leser4reported seven instances in which paralysis and contracture of muscles followed the application of constricting bandages, and from animal experiments he believed that the paralysis and contracture of the muscles was caused by a deprivation of the muscles of arterial blood. Both Volkmann and Leser recognized that the paralysis and contracture were associated with marked manifestations of inflammation. Since Volkmann's paper it has become customary to refer to all cases of