Chorea

[Lat.; from Gr. choreia, advancing.) ( Med.) The disease commonly called St. Vitus's Dance. It shows itself by convulsive motions of the limbs, face, head, and trunk, varying extremely in extent and violence; the speech is often more or le affected, and frequently the mental energies become grievously impaired. It is most common in early life, as from the age of ten or twelve to puberty; and makes its approach gradually in persons chiefly of debilitated constitutions; the appetite is generally ravenous at first, and the bowels costive; various convulsive motions then ensue, and only cease during sleep, which, however, is seldom sound. This is one of those diseases which require special attention in their early stages. It usually disappears under judicious treatment, or as the patient grows up; but occasionally it terminates in epilepsy, paralysis, or idiocyу. The proper mode of treatment is to restore the tone of the system by tonics, a nourishing diet, and frequent exercise in the open air. Choregraphic, Chore graphical, ( kō - re-graf ik ,) a. Relating, or pertaining, to choregraphy. Choreg'raphy, n. [Gr. choreia , and graphein , to depict.] The art of representing dancing by signs, as singing is represented by notes. Chorepis'copal, a . [Gr. choros , place, and episkopos , bishop.] Pertaining to the power of a local bishop or suffragan.