Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1880 — A Mysterious Affliction. [ARTICLE]

A Mysterious Affliction.

The news spread through the city yesterday of a most singular and mysterious calamity which had befallen the Ursuline Convent, a famous Catholic institution of learning in Brown county, near the line of the M. &C.R. R. The trouble U nothing less than the breaking out in epidemic form among the pupils of the disease known as cAorsa tancti viti, or St Vitus’ dance. The strange malady first made its appearance two or three weeks ago, but was not considered a serious matter until within a tew days, when finding that it had become epidemic, and in one case at least had resulted fatally, the parents of the pupils were informed and requested to remove their children at the earliest moment This has now been so generally done that the convent is almost depopulated, and will not be again opened to pupils until the beginning of the fall term. This institution is the only academy, we believe, founded in the United States by the Ursulines, a French order of nuns noted tor their accomplishments and success as instructors of the young. Among the young ladies who have returned home in consequence of the nervous troubles among the scholars is Miss West Eighth street She is a girl of 14, and has been attending school at the convent for several months past She had come home on Thursday with a number of other girls, and at the time she waa noticeably affected with the St Vitus’ dance, but she had now entirely overcome her nervousness, and walked the streets as composed as anybody. A young lady, who is at present with her mother at one as the hotels, and a sufferer from this disorder, contracted at the Ursuline convent, was also visited. She is exceedingly nervous and hysterical, and her condition has excited grave apprehensions. It is thought however, that the change and proper care will soon bring her out all right A young lady residing in Memphis was seen at one of the depots. She was on her way home from the convent She was still Suite strong, but could not control her mbs, and their involuntary movements in so public a place seemed to annoy her greatly. ’ The American Cyclopedia describes Saint Vitus’ dance, or chorea, as a disorder affecting the nerves of motion, occurring usually in young persons from the age of 10 to 20, and more frequently in females. Its approach is heralded by languor and lassitude, slight dragging of one of the limbs, a furred tongue, general disorder of the stomach and bowels, occasional pain in the occipital portion of the head, frequently a sense of awkwardness, which leads the patient to avoid coming

into the presence of strangers, and sudden muscular contortions, apparently executed involuntarily. Gradually the muscles cease to be under the frill control of the will; the head shakes upon the occurrence of the slightest excitement, and the patient cannot control its motion except by a violent and painful exercise of the volition. If he attempts to carry food or dnnk to the mouth, the hand approaches part of the way and then moves off suddenly in another direction; the hands and feet will net keep still, the face is distorted by the spasmodic action of the muscles, the motions of the body in walking are very uncertain, and one leg and the opposite arm seem paralyzed. The articulation is Impeded and painful, the temper variable and the patient exceedingly sensitive. Occasionally the action is more violent If watched, or noticed, the spasmodic action is invariably aggravated. The most frequent predisposing causes are those changes which take place at the age of puberty. Among the exciting causes are fright irritation of the stomach and bowels, improper diet and disordered menstruation.—Cincinnati Commercial, April 24.