ANIMAL AND VEGETABLE 261 



zero to the other, never becoming constant or giving any 

 definite indication of the normal electrical sign of the 

 patient. This irregularity, this fluctuation, combined with 

 an insufficiency of nerve energy, is a peculiarity of neuras- 

 thenia, distinguishing it from other nervous affections. 



The behaviour of the sufferer from this disorder is, as 

 a rule, consistent with the galvanometric reading. There 

 is a corresponding fluctuation of will. Victims to neuras- 

 thenia are slow to admit to others that there is anything 

 wrong with them, and if treated will not long submit to 

 the same treatment, but go from doctor to doctor, or try 

 a few doses of every quack medicine they see. They never 

 seem to know their own minds for many minutes together, 

 and in this respect their mental and neuro-electrical 

 symptoms appear to be in accord. They may, reasonably, 

 be termed neurotic, but this is perhaps a misnomer. The 

 fault, theoretically, can be said to be partly due to intermit- 

 tent contact between efferent and afferent centres and 

 consequent disturbance of neuro-electrical equilibrium, in- 

 volving defective distribution of nerve-energy. 



EPILEPSY. 



It follows, as a matter of course, that anyone engaged in 

 electro-pathological research would bestow a maximum of 

 attention upon this awful scourge of humanity, and I have 

 been fortunate enough to have had many opportunities of 

 studying it. My observations, however, are strictly con- 

 fined to the neuro-electrical problem presented by the 

 disorder, and even from this comparatively narrow point 

 of view it exhibits so many complex features that I am quite 

 at a loss for a well-grounded opinion of its origin, or of the 

 predisposing cause or causes. I know what happens, but 

 how or why it happens is hidden from me, though it will 

 certainly be revealed to some other student. In this 

 connection it is my earnest hope that such data as I am able 

 to offer may prove to be of value. 



