DISEASES 45. 



"There is a form of chorea, clue to a disturbed nervous system, induced 

 by blows or injuries to the, or the presence of intestinal parasites which 

 have deranged the, digestive organs. This form of chorea is generally 

 curable. The form which follows distemper is not so amenable to treat- 

 ment. 



"The symptoms are so prominent and characteristic that there is no 

 mistaking the disease, and the peculiar involuntary twitching of the muscles 

 once seen is never forgotten. Then entire body may be affected; generally 

 it is only one set of muscles, those of the foreleg or of the neck and shoul- 

 ders, in which case the head bobs up and down in a most helpless manner. 

 Where the hindlegs are affected the dog will suddenly drop one' of the limbs 

 from the hip downward as if there was an entire loss of strength and 

 power. This is particularly noticeable if it attempts to jump on a chair 

 or table, for, after one or two attempts, it falls on its side or in a heap, 

 completely helpless. 



"The top of the head is often affected and twitches and throbs in a 

 most peculiar manner, and the jerking is commonly observable about the 

 muscles of the eyelids, lips and face. In severe cases of chorea the gen- 

 eral health is affected, and the animal shows signs of suffering probably 

 due to anxiety and appreciation of its helpfulness. In mild cases it does 

 not affect the animal's general health, and some field dogs have it all 

 their lives without affecting their usefulness. The owner, however, 

 is annoyed by the constant muscular movements and is always anxious to 

 effect a cure. Some cases are quiet during sleep, others are worse. 



"Treatment. — Although the disease occurs in the best regulated ken- 

 nels, despite the most careful treatment of distemper, it does not alter the 

 fact that dogs properly treated for distemper and worms and well housed 

 and fed are less liable to the disease than those which are neglected. 



"The first thing to do is to look after the animal's general health. 

 See that the bowels act promptly and this is accomplished best by dieting 

 and the feeding of foods possessing laxative properties and not by resorting 

 to physics. If there is the slightest suspicion of worms treat for them, 

 as they torment the nervous system beyond all measure and are the cause 

 of many attacks. 



"Feed regularly and carefully, and if there is a tendency to constipa- 

 tion use well boiled oatmeal. Mutton broths with stale bread, beef well 

 boiled or raw lean beef chopped fine. From two to five grains of pepsin 

 and one-half grain of diastase can be given after each meal, to assist the 

 stomach in the process of digestion. If there is much debility and weak- 

 ness give emulson of cod liver oil in doses of from one teaspoonful to 

 three tablespoonfuls three or four times a day. 



"The drugs principally used are mix vomica or strychnine and arsenic. 

 Some practitioners use a dose of nux vomica in the morning and arsenic at 

 night. As both of these drugs are poisonous they must be used with care. 

 The dose of nux vomica is from two to twelve drops of the tincture twice 

 a day. It is a valuable vegetable, bitter, and an aid to digestion as well 

 as a nerve stimulant. Any stiffness of the muscles or tendency to spasms 

 is an indication for its immediate discontinuance. 



"Fowler's Solution of Arsenic is the most convenient form. The dose 



