150 CHOREA, SPASM, CONVULSION, AND PARALYSIS. 



from certain morbid affections or states of the brain ; though post- 

 mortem examinations have often failed to detect any structural al- 

 teration there ; and when such do occur, some might be led to at- 

 tribute them to the force of the symptoms ; or, in other words, as 

 an effect rather than a cause. Chorea is sometimes general, as is 

 seen in some states of distemper, when the animal is universally 

 affected with muscular spasmodic contractions from head to foot, 

 as well sleeping as waking : every limb is alternately flexed and 

 straightened, as though the poor brute was in constant and fatiguing 

 exercise ; while his cries and moans bespeak his sufferings, and he 

 dies worn out by the irritation and exhaustion produced, earlier or 

 later, as his own strength or the degree of the disease operate for 

 or against him. 



Chorea is, however, more frequently partial, and these con- 

 vulsive twitchings are confined sometimes to the head and neck, 

 which are bowed continually ; occasionally only a part of the face 

 is so convulsed ; in others the fore quarters are principally aflfected, 

 being drawn down with distressing regularity. Now and then 

 it is in the hinder quarters, and sometimes in one limb only ; but 

 wherever it exists it seldom affords any respite. In this state a 

 dog will continue, particularly when it is the consequence of dis- 

 temper, for a longer or shorter period ; and oftentimes it remains 

 through life, rendering the objects of it useless as sporting dogs, 

 guards, &c. Chorea may be the consequence of other irritations 

 besides distemper, as worms, injuries received on the head, and 

 debilitating diseases ; but the distemper is the most frequent cause. 



The treatment is usually of the tonic kind, although in the more 

 early stages it may not be imprudent to act on supposition that 

 some revulsive means, directed to the sensorium, might be useful. 

 In such case, a seton might be applied, or a blister to the back of 

 the head ; or the spine may be stimulated ; but it is rare, when 

 the disease has continued some time, that these means are at- 

 tended with benefit. We may however, expect more from tonic 

 remedies, as liberal feeding, pure air, the cold bath, frictions, 

 with the following ; — 



