314

ST. VITUSS DANCE.

time of puberty ; though it has been sometimes found to occur ata more advanced period of life. Females are more liable to it thanmales. The first symptom of this disease is generally a slight lame-ness of one leg, which the patient drags a little, and seems to havelost the power of duly regulating its action. The.arms next be-come affected, and are thrown into various contortions, which de-prive persons affected with this disease of the power of feedingthemselves, and their awkward gesticulations in attempting tobring articles of food towards their mouth appear ridiculous. Oneside of the body is in general more affected than the other. Thetongue participates of the general disease of the system, so as torender articulation nearly unintelligible. If the disease continuo •long, it materially injures the constitution, sleep becomes disturb-ed or is in great measure prevented, the mental faculties are im-paired, and revert to childishness ; pain is often felt in the stom-ach, the appetite for food is extremely irregular, being occasional-ly ravenous, the countenance appears pale and languid, and thebody and limbs are much emaciated.

The feebleness and debility caused by this disease seems to haveinfluenced the routine of practice here pursued in the treatment ofit. The remedies generally recommended are accordingly of thetonic class, such as Peruvian-bark, steel, bitters, preparations ofziuc and copper, cold bathing, and electricity. Notwithstand-ing the administration of these remedies, chorea has generallyproved a tedious and untraceable disease, continuing to harassthe patient for months and even years, not unfrequently occasion-ing permanent injury to the faculties of the mind as well as thepowers of the body.

Dr. James Hamilton of Edinburgh in his late valuable publica-tion on " The utility and administration of purgative medicines,"has promulgated so just a view of the nature and origin of thecomplaint now under consideration, accompanied with a mode ofcure so judicious and successful, that it becomes a duty to diffusea knowledge of his opinions and practice as extensively as possi-ble.

Respecting the plan of treating this disease which has hithertoprevailed, the Doctor observes, " It is melancholy to reflect thatmonths and years, the most valuable in respect of after-life, shouldglide on, while an effectual check is given to the improvement ofthe mind, the cultivation of useful learning, or the acquisition ofnecessary arts ; with the hazard of permanent fatuity, to a certainextent, or of a grotesque appearance, from the unconquerable re-mains of irregular motions being imposed on the young sufferersfor life. To these certain consequences of protracted chorea, Iwill add, the danger that attends it; I have no doubt, but it musthave, on some occasions, proved fatal."

The remedies which that enlightened practitioner has found emi-nently successful in the cure of this disease, consist of active pur-gatives. From three xo five grains of calomel combined with tenor fifteen of jalap ; or a sufficient quantity of the aloetic pill, oc-casionally interposing a proper dose of the tartarized infusion ofsenna, are so administered as to produce full purging daily, whichis to be kept up till the progress of the disease is found to be ar-rested.