SYMPTOMS 113 
supervening must not be lost sight of—the animal 
becoming a complete or partial cripple. 
Gray, however, records a case in which a dog, having 
suffered some years from chorea, then became paralysed, 
but eventually absolute recovery resulted. 
Chorea affecting any muscle or group of muscles may 
be succeeded by paralysis of those parts, extending ulti- 
mately, perhaps, to general paralysis, coma, and death. 
By judicious treatment, however, it is often possible to 
considerably lessen the spasmodic activity and its in- 
jurious effects by enhancing the general tone of the 
nervous system and building up a strength which might, 
even permanently, overcome the morbid condition. 
It has been said that the name “chorea” as applied to 
this affection of dogs is a misnomer, as the movements 
(incessant snapping of jaws, twitching of eyelids, and 
jerking of the head from side to side) are not of the same 
order as those in chorea of children, but are indicative of 
cortical irritation. In true chorea of man there is found 
no pathological alteration of the brain; anzemia is present, 
and spasms are not confined to special muscular groups, 
but various muscular centres of the body are implicated. 
Cause of Chorea.—Chorea in dogs, although it might 
possibly exist independently, is very constantly associ- 
ated with distemper, and in fact is declared by some 
to be absolute proof of the present or previous existence 
of that disease. Nevertheless, it is seen also in myelitis 
of traumatic or other origin, and as a result of abscesses 
and tumours contiguous with the brain, etc. In distemper 
its most probable etiology is the action of bacterial 
toxins on the grey matter of the spinal cord, for the 
inferior horns have been observed by some to be 
thickened or hardened. Carougeau, Bohl, and Rexter 
noted an infiltration of leucocytes in the grey matter of 
the entire cord, especially in the inferior horns. 
8 
