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EPILEPSY. (Falling Sickness)

Categories: Diseases of The Nervous System

This is an affection of the nervous system,
characterized by attacks of unconsciousness, with or without convulsion.



Causes. In a large proportion of cases the disease begins before puberty.

It rarely begins after twenty-five. It is more liable to attack females

than males. Heredity is thought by some to play a big role. Dr. Osler

says: "In our figures it appears to play a minor role." Another doctor

says: "Here
ity plays an important role in the production of the disease.

Besides epilepsy, insanity, migraine, alcoholism, near relationship of

parents (consanguinity) and hysteria are among the more common ancestral

taints observed." All factors which impair the health and exhaust the

nervous system are predisposing causes. Injury to the head often causes

it. Teething, worms, adherent foreskin and clitoris, closing of the

internal opening of the womb, delayed menstruation, are sometimes the

cause.



Symptoms. There are two distinct types. The major attacks--or "grand

mal"--in which there are severe convulsions with complete loss of

consciousness, etc.; and the minor attacks or "petit mal," in which the

convulsive movements are slight and may be absent, and in which the loss

of consciousness is often but momentary or practically absent. In some the

attacks occur during the day; in others during the night, and they may not

be noticed for a long time.



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