406 ATONIC DISEASES. 
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. 416) will 
be necessary, till the dog is supposed to be 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 
suffice ; but if not, after trying good nourishing animal food, mixed 
with a proper proportion of vegetables, recourse may be had to the 
following tonic, which is often of the greatest service :— 
Sulphate of zinc, 2 to 5 grains. 
Extract of gentian, 3 grains. 
Mix, and form a bolus, To be given three times a day. 
Attention must be carefully paid to the state of the bowels, both 
constipation and looseness being prejudicial to the health, and 
each requiring the appropriate treatment laid down at pages 394 
and 395. Sometimes the tonic pill (62) will do wonders, and often 
the change from it to the sulphate of zinc and back again will be 
of more service than either of them continued by itself. A perse- 
verance in these methods, with the aid of the shower-bath, used 
by means of a watering-pot, applied to the head and spine, and 
followed by moderate exercise, will sometimes entirely remove the 
disease, though in the majority of cases a slight drop will be ever 
afterwards noticed, and in sporting-dogs the strength is seldom 
restored to the same extent as before. 
SHAKING PALSY. 
This resembles chorea in its nature, but it is incessant, except 
during sleep, and attacks the whole body. The same remedies 
