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
Healthy in every respect in 17.7 per cent.
With some abnormal peculiarity in 82.2 per cent.
General health good in 75.5 per cent.
General health impaired in 24.4 per cent.
Robust in 66.6 per cent.
Not robust in 33.3 per cent.
Intelligence intact in 74.4 per cent.
Intelligence impaired in 25.5 per cent.
Loss of memory in 58.8 per cent.
No loss of memory in 41.1 per cent.
Stupid in 16.6 per cent.
Dull in 31.1 per cent.
Irritable in 25.4 per cent.
Frequent headaches in 41.1 per cent.
Frequent vertigo in 22.2 per cent.
Nervous in 21.1 per cent.
Special diseases in 21.1 per cent.
Of the 21.1 per cent. under the heading of special diseases, there
were--
Hemiplegia in 6.6 per cent.
Paralysis of seventh nerve in 1.1 per cent.
Impediment of speech in 1.1 per cent.
Cicatrix over sciatic nerve in 1.1 per cent.
Idiot in 1.1 per cent.
Anæmia in 5.5 per cent.
Phthisis in 2.2 per cent.
Confirmed dyspepsia in 1.1 per cent.
From these details it is evident that epilepsy is not of necessity
associated with impairment of the physical or mental health. On the
contrary, we find that in 17.7 per cent. of the patients there was
apparently no flaw of any kind in their constitutions, which were
absolutely normal, with the exception of the periodic seizures. In no
less than 75.5 per cent. was the general health good, and in 66.6 per
cent. the patients were robust and vigorous. At the same time the
health was markedly impaired in 24.4 per cent., and the sufferers were
of delicate or weak habit in 33.3 per cent. The main fact, however, to
be observed is that, in the majority of cases of epilepsy, the general
health and vigour of the patient is not deteriorated. In the same way,
the intellectual capacities are not of necessity affected. In 74.4 per
cent. the intelligence is recorded as not seriously impaired; and in
41.1 per cent. the memory as good. On the other hand, the mental
faculties were markedly deficient in 25.5 per cent.; the patients were
dull and slow in 31.1 per cent.; and in more than half, or 58.8 per
cent., was there evidence of loss of memory. Another frequent symptom is
repeated and constant headache, which, in the present series of cases,
existed in 41.1 per cent.
2.--EPILEPSIA MITIOR.
This occurred altogether in 38 per cent. of the total number of cases.
In these it occurred--
By itself in 26.3 per cent.
Associated with E. Gravior in 73.6 per cent.
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