SPASMODIC AFFECTIONS. 



415 



general conclusion, as a fact which may be a foundation for 

 practice. Without that I cannot proceed ; but please to take 

 notice, that I always mean that the theory should be a single 

 result from facts which are certain." 



MCCLXXXIV. With respect to the proximate cause of 

 this disease, I might say, that it is an affection of the energy of 

 the brain, which, ordinarily under the direction of the will, is 

 here, without any concurrence of it, impelled by preternatural 

 causes. But, I could go no farther : For, as to what is the me- 

 chanical condition of the brain in the ordinary exertions of the 

 will, I have no distinct knowledge ; and therefore must be also 

 ignorant of the preternatural state of the same energy of the 

 brain under the irregular motions here produced. To form, 

 therefore, the indications of a cure, from a knowledge of the 

 proximate cause of this disease, I must not attempt ; but, from 

 a diligent attention to the remote causes which first induce and 

 occasionally excite the disease, I think we may often obtain 

 some useful directions for its cure. It shall therefore be my 

 business now to point out and enumerate these remote causes as 

 well as I can. 



MCCLXXXV. The remote causes of epilepsy may be con- 

 sidered as occasional or predisponent. There are, indeed, cer- 

 tain remote causes whicli act independently of any predisposi- 

 tion ; but, as we cannot always distinguish these from the others, 

 I shall consider the whole under the usual titles of Occasional 

 or Predisponent. 



MCCLXXXVI. The occasional causes may, I think, be 

 properly referred to two general heads ; thejirst being of those 

 which seem to act by directly stimulating and exciting the 

 energy of the brain ; and the second of those which seem ta 

 act by weakening the same. With respect to both, for the 

 brevity of expressing a fact, without meaning to explain the 

 manner in which it is brought about, I shall use the terms of 

 Excitement and Collapse. (See Physiology, CXXX.) And, 

 though it be true, that, with respect to some of the causes I 

 am to mention, it may be a little uncertain whether they act in 

 the one way or the other, that does not render it improper for 

 us to mark, with respect to others, the mode of their operat- 



