Cases of periodical jactitation, or chorea / by Robert Watt, M.D.

  • Watt, Robert, 1774-1819.
Date:
1814
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cases of periodical jactitation, or chorea / by Robert Watt, M.D. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    was still more remarkable. Her father now at¬ tempted to put a stop to the paroxysms before the usual period, and succeeded. She continued sick and distressed all night. Next morning, when the motions should have begun, she expressed a wish to go to bed. For some time she kept her bed pretty constantly, but began to show signs of amendment, and never afterwards had any more of the motions. In the course of a few weeks she recovered her speech completely, and also her for¬ mer health, strength, and spirits ; and has con¬ tinued perfectly well ever since. If any difference, her parents think her now more affable, active, and intelligent than ever. During the whole illness, the mind seemed to be affected nearly in the same manner as we find it in common cases of chorea. This was more es¬ pecially the case towards the latter part of the com¬ plaint. After the occurrence of the diarrhoea, she became more sensible, and was much more easily persuaded to do any thing which was judged ne¬ cessary. As purgatives had been strongly recom¬ mended by most of the medical gentlemen who saw her, these were diligently applied, and oper¬ ated powerfully, and I have no doubt contributed materially to her complete recovery. The disease may perhaps have a tendency to run a definite course, and cease spontaneously. On the other hand, the same medical treatment which seemed void of efficacy at the beginning, may have proved