CHOKEA, OR ST. VITUS'S DANCE. 89 



in every case I could trace the mischief to a strain or blow 

 occasioning internal mischief, and thus pressing upon the nervous 

 fibres contained within the canal. In the greyhound this would 

 be a hopeless case ; for though by strychnine, given in small doses 

 and for some time, the tone of the nerves might possibly be in 

 some measure restored, yet the animal never could serve any 

 useful purpose, and had much better be put out of its misery by 

 a dose of prussic acid or a few inches of cord. 



CHOREA, OR ST. VITUS'S DANCE. 



This is a very frequent sequel to distemper, and generally sets 

 in by slight convulsive movements of one of the fore-legs, which 

 gradually increase in severity till they attack one side of the 

 body or even the whole frame. These convulsive twitchings are 

 most evident when the animal is at rest, and often disappear 

 when he walks or trots, returning as soon as he attempts to stand 

 still ; one fore-leg is then generally raised, and the animal keeps 

 ducking his head, and twitching his leg at the same time, in a 

 way which, once seen, cannot fail to be ever after easily recog- 

 nised. This disease is essentially the result of weakness, whether 

 caused by distemper, or worms, or improper diet. In either case 

 there is irritation of the nervous system, conjoined with such a 

 low and depressed state of the whole body, that the cause of the 

 irritation cannot be shaken off. We know little or nothing of the 



