A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of EpilepsyBennett, Alexander Hughes
Science
A Statistical Inquiry Into the Nature and Treatment of Epilepsy
Bennett, Alexander Hughes
Epilepsy
V. _For five years (6 cases)._
Physical and mental powers unaffected 6, or 100.0 per cent.
Physical and mental powers impaired 0, or 0.0 per cent.
Physical powers alone impaired 0, or 0.0 per cent.
Mental powers alone impaired 0, or 0.0 per cent.
General symptoms of neurasthenia 3, or 50.0 per cent.
Bromide eruption 0, or 0.0 per cent.
VI. _For six years (4 cases)._
Physical and mental powers unaffected 4, or 100.0 per cent.
Physical and mental powers impaired 0, or 0.0 per cent.
Physical powers alone impaired 0, or 0.0 per cent.
Mental powers alone impaired 0, or 0.0 per cent.
General symptoms of neurasthenia 2, or 50.0 per cent.
Bromide eruption 0, or 0.0 per cent.
In the construction of the details of the above tables, care has been
taken as far as possible to distinguish between the effects of the
remedy and the symptoms associated with the disease, although this has
not been always easy to accomplish. It has, however, been approximately
arrived at by a careful study of the patient's health before treatment,
as compared with his subsequent state, and those symptoms only were
considered toxic which were superadded to pre-existing abnormal
conditions. A general analysis of the facts thus collected shows that in
the majority of cases the physical and mental powers do not appear to be
injuriously affected by the prolonged use of the bromides. It is not
asserted that all the individuals placed under this section were
necessarily sound in mind and body. In many instances the functions of
these were impaired, but there was no evidence to indicate that this was
the result of the medicine taken; on the contrary, there was every
reason to believe that the symptoms thus displayed were a part of the
original disease, and had existed prior to treatment.
In a very small percentage of cases were both physical and mental powers
unfavourably modified as a direct consequence of the use of the
bromides, and even in these there is no absolute certainty that the
drugs were entirely responsible for the symptoms, seeing that these
might be attributed to the epileptic condition as well as to the toxic
effects of the remedy. They are considered under this category, as the
abnormal phenomena appeared to be augmented after treatment and improved
on its temporary cessation. They mainly consisted, on the one hand, of
loss of memory, dulness of apprehension, apathy, somnolence, depression
of spirits, and mental debility; and on the other, of bodily languor,
muscular fatigue, and general physical weakness. In no case did any of
these symptoms attain an excessive or prominent position. The same
conditions apply when the physical or mental powers were impaired
independently of one another.
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