III. THE EPILEPTIC 



Notwithstanding the report that some of the great men of 

 history, notably Caesar and Napoleon, were victims of epilepsy, 

 this disease is now known to be usually associated with degen- 

 eracy. It is mixed with alcoholism, insanity, feeble-mindedness, 

 tuberculosis, and many other disorders. Altho known to phy- 

 sicians for centuries and comparatively easy of diagnosis, the 

 general cause of epilepsy is as yet undetermined. Kesearch labo- 

 ratories have been established in connection with some of the state 

 institutions for the care of epileptics and many valuable contri- 

 butions thus made to literature on the subject. No cure has been 

 found, but old and new methods of treatment have been carefully 

 studied to determine, in individual cases, those resulting in 

 improvement of the patient or arresting the progress of the 

 disease. 



Because of the lack of medical knowledge regarding epileptics, 

 social work among them is handicapped. However, some things 

 have been learned which are of great help in the practical handling 

 of these cases. Direct heredity is a marked factor, determined 

 in from 15 to 20 per cent of those admitted to state institutions. 

 Insanity or other mental disorders are found in the ancestors of 

 a large proportion of those afflicted with epilepsy. "We find that 

 the family history in over 60 per cent of the cases shows epilepsy 

 or some other neurosis in the near relatives."^ "One need not 

 hesitate to state that the effect of hereditary influences can be 

 well established in 60 per cent of the cases of epilepsy and feeble- 

 mindedness admitted to our institutions."^ This fact alone should 

 be sufficient argument for the prevention of the marriage of 

 epileptics. 



Those who have epilepsy are economically dependent because 

 of their inability to do many kinds of work and their forced 

 periods of idleness. Farm work and an out-of-door life are most 

 suitable for these persons and most of the institutions are built to 

 provide for such a life. Those who are physically able can thus be 

 profitably employed, at the same time being personally benefited. 

 Life free from responsibility, excitement, and hurry ; following a 



iG. G. Kineon, M.D., Superintendent of the Ohio Hospital for Epileptics. 

 Gallipolis, Ohio. 



^Wm. T. Shanahan, M.D., "Why the Marriage of Defectives Shouki Be Prevented 

 Wtm Possible", New York BtaU Journal of Medicine, Septeml)er. 1910. 



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