DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 261 



the body, face, and jaws may be involved, the latter exhibiting 

 tetanic symptoms.* 



Symptoms. — Chorea is denoted by a peculiar snatching or 

 twitching of" the part affected. If the brain is involved, the 

 head is in continual spasmodic tremulous motion, and may 

 best be described as a fac-simile of an aged palsied persoii. 

 It has been known in human practice to arise from sympathy 

 and imitation. I am not aware of any instance in which a 

 dog has so contracted it. 



Treatment. — With regard to medicinal agents, the one 

 most applicable to this affection is undoubtedly strychnia or 

 nux vomica. I do not recollect a single case of chorea, taken 

 in its early stages, in which I have failed to .effect a cure with 

 this drug. Great caution is, however, required in its adminis- 

 tration. It should always be given at a stated time, and after 

 a meal ; this is especially necessary where the doses have 

 been gradually increased, otherwise a fatal result is likely to 

 ensue. 



I could mention more than one instance in which death 

 has occurred from neglecting this caution. In each the patient 

 has been under a long course of strychnia, and the dose had 

 been increased to more than treble the original quantity ; 

 by some mischance the drug was omitted for a day, and when 

 next given it produced convulsions and death. 



The dose of strychnia is j'y to iV of a grain ; the nux vomica 

 from I to 2 grains. It is best, however, to commence below 

 either of the minimums mentioned, and after the first three 

 days gradually increase it. It should be given twice daily in 

 the form of a pill. If there is any difificulty in administering 

 it, the liquor strychnia may be substituted, which contains 

 half a grain to the drachm, and may be proportionately 

 divided. 



Local remedies in chorea are sometimes beneficial. I have 



* I have at the time of writing this, under treatment, a pug dog exten- 

 sively afflicted with chorea ; the jaw can only be opened half an inch, and 

 goes to again with a sharp snap. The lips are convulsed. 



