426 ATOXIC DISEASES. 



Ill slight cases the spasm is a mere drop of the head and shoulder, 

 or sometimes of the hind quarter only, the nods in the former case, 

 or the backward drop in the latter, giving a very silly and weak 

 expression to the animal. Chorea is almost always a consequence 

 of distemper, so that it is unnecessary to describe its early stages, 

 and the disease itself cannot be further defined than by the above 

 description. It seldom goes on to destroy life, though occasionally 

 it is accompanied by fits, the disease in the brain and spine then 

 being of such a severe nature, as to end fatally in the course of 

 time, the dog apparently dying from exhaustion. Of the exact 

 nature of the disease we know nothing, the most careful examina- 

 tion of the brain and spinal cord leading to no useful result. But 

 it often happens that there is present at the same time, a degree 

 of mischief in the stomach, caused apparently by the presence of 

 worms, and then the chorea is said to be sympathetic with this. 

 In the treatment, therefore, it is desirable to ascertain the existence 

 of worms, and if they are found, no remedy will be likely to be 

 beneficial so long as they are allowed to continue their attacks. 

 If they are only suspected, it is prudent to give a dose of the most 

 simple worm-medicine, such as the areca nut (65), and if this 

 brings away only one or two, the presence of others may be pre- 

 dicated, and a persistence in the proper remedies (see p. 439) will 

 be necessary, till the dog is supposed to be cleansed from them. 

 Beyond this, the remedies must be directed to improve the general 

 health, and at the same time to relieve any possible congestion of 

 the brain or spine by the insertion of a seton in the neck. Fresh 

 country air is the best giver of strength, and it alone will often 



