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    "source_title": "Encyclopaedia Britannica (1911)",
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    "chunk_id": "1911:falling sickness:312ce8c8252e",
    "title": "FALLING SICKNESS",
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    "verified_text": "falling sickness, a term applied generally to a nervous disorder, characterized by a fit of sudden loss of consciousness, attended with convulsions. there may, however, exist manifestations of epilepsy much less marked than this, yet equally characteristic of the disease; while, on the other hand, it is to be borne in mind that many other attacks of a convulsive nature have the term \"epileptic\" or \"epileptiform\" applied to them. epilepsy was well known in ancient times, and was regarded as a special infliction of the gods, hence the names _morbus sacer_, _morbus divus_. it was also termed _morbus herculeus_, from hercules having been supposed to have been epileptic, and _morbus comitialis_, from the circumstance that when any member of the forum was seized with an epileptic fit the assembly was broken up. _morbus caducus_, _morbus lunaticus astralis_, _morbus demoniacus_, _morbus major_, were all terms employed to designate epilepsy. there are three well-marked varieties of the epileptic seizure; to these the terms _le grand mal_, _le petit mal_ and _jacksonian epilepsy_ are usually applied. any of these may exist alone, but the two former may be found to exist in the same individual. the first of these, if not the more common, is at least that which attracts the most attention, being what is generally known as an _epileptic fit_. although in most instances such an attack comes on suddenly, it is in many cases preceded by certain premonitory indications or warnings, which may be present for a greater or less time previously. these are of very varied character, and may be in the form of some temporary change in the disposition, such as unusual depression or elevation of spirits, or of some alteration in the look. besides these general symptoms, there are frequently peculiar sensations which immediately precede the onset of the fit, and to such the name of _aura epileptica_ is applied. in its strict sense this term refers to a feeling of a breath of air blowing upon some part of the body, and passing upwards towards the head. this sensation, however, is not a common one, and the term has now come to be applied to any peculiar feeling which the patient experiences as a precursor of the attack. the so-called _aura_ may be of mental character, in the form of an agonizing feeling of momentary duration; of sensorial character, in the form of pain in a limb or in some internal organ, such as the stomach, or morbid feeling connected with the special senses; or, further, of motorial character, in the form of contractions or trembling in some of the muscles. when such sensations affect a limb, the employment of firm compression by the hand or by a ligature occasionally succeeds in warding off an attack. the aura may be so distinct and of such duration as to enable the patient to lie down, or seek a place of safety before the fit comes on. the seizure is usually preceded by a loud scream or cry, which is not to be ascribed, as was at one time supposed, to terror or pain, but is due to the convulsive action of the muscles of the larynx, and the expulsion of a column of air through the narrowed glottis. if the patient is standing he immediately falls, and often sustains serious injury. unconsciousness is complete, and the muscles generally are in a state of stiffness or tonic contraction, which will usually be found to affect those of one side of the body in particular. the head is turned by a series of jerks towards one or other shoulder, the breathing is for the moment arrested, the countenance first pale then livid, the pupils dilated and the pulse rapid. this, the first stage of the fit, generally lasts for about half a minute, and is followed by the state of clonic (i.e. tumultuous) spasm of the muscles, in which the whole body is thrown into violent agitation, occasionally so great that bones may be fractured or dislocated. the eyes roll wildly, the teeth are gnashed together, and the tongue and cheeks are often severely bitten. the breathing is noisy and laborious, and foam (often tinged with blood) issues from the mouth, while the contents of the bowels and bladder are ejected. the aspect of the patient in this condition is shocking to witness, and the sight has been known to induce a similar attack in an onlooker. this stage lasts for a period varying from a few seconds to several minutes, when the convulsive movements gradually subside, and relaxation of the muscles takes place, together with partial return of consciousness, the patient looking confusedly about him and attempting to speak. this, however, is soon followed by drowsiness and stupor, which may continue for several hours, when he awakes either apparently quite recovered or fatigued and depressed, and occasionally in a state of excitement which sometimes assumes the form of mania. epileptic fits of this sort succeed each other with varying degrees of frequency, and occasionally, though not frequently, with regular periodicity. in some persons they only occur once in a lifetime, or once in the course of many years, while in others they return every week or two, or even are of daily occurrence, and occasionally there are numerous attacks each day. according to sir j.r. reynolds, there are four times as many epileptics who have their attacks more frequently than once a month as there are of those whose attacks recur at longer intervals. when the fit returns it is not uncommon for one seizure to be followed by another within a few hours or days. occasionally there occurs a constant succession of attacks extending over many hours, and with such rapidity that the patient appears as if he had never come out of the one fit. the term _status epilepticus_ is applied to this condition, which is sometimes followed with fatal results. in many epileptics the fits occur during the night as well as during the day, but in some instances they are entirely nocturnal, and it is well known that in such cases the disease may long exist and yet remain unrecognized either by the patient or the physician. the second manifestation of epilepsy, to which the names _epilepsia mitior_ or _le petit mal_ are given, differs from that above described in the absence of the convulsive spasms. it is also termed by some authors _epileptic vertigo_ (giddiness), and consists essentially in the sudden arrest of volition and consciousness, which is of but short duration, and may be accompanied with staggering or some alteration in position or motion, or may simply exhibit itself in a look of absence or confusion, and should the patient happen to be engaged in conversation, by an abrupt termination of the act. in general it lasts but a few seconds, and the individual resumes his occupation without perhaps being aware of anything having been the matter. in some instances there is a degree of spasmodic action in certain muscles which may cause the patient to make some unexpected movement, such as turning half round, or walking abruptly aside, or may show itself by some unusual expression of countenance, such as squinting or grinning. there may be some amount of _aura_ preceding such attacks, and also of faintness following them. the _petit mal_ most commonly co-exists with the _grand mal_, but has no necessary connexion with it, as each may exist alone. according to armand trousseau, the _petit mal_ in general precedes the manifestation of the _grand mal_, but sometimes the reverse is the case. the third manifestation--_jacksonian epilepsy_ or _partial epilepsy_--is distinguished by the fact that consciousness is retained or lost late. the patient is conscious throughout, and is able to watch the march of the spasm. the attacks are usually the result of lesions in the motor area of the brain, such being caused, in many instances, by depression of the vault of the skull, due to trauma. epilepsy appears to exert no necessarily injurious effect upon the general health, and even where it exists in an aggravated form is quite consistent with a high degree of bodily vigour. it is very different, however, with regard to its influence upon the mind; and the question of the relation of epilepsy to insanity is one of great and increasing importance. allusion has already been made to the occasional occurrence of maniacal excitement as one of the results of the epileptic seizure. such attacks, to which the name of _furor epilepticus_ is applied, are generally accompanied with violent acts on the part of the patient, rendering him dangerous, and demanding prompt measures of restraint. these attacks are by no means limited to the more severe form of epilepsy, but appear to be even more frequently associated with the milder form--the epileptic vertigo--where they either replace altogether or immediately follow the short period of absence characteristic of this form of the disease. numerous cases are on record of persons known to be epileptic being suddenly seized, either after or without apparent spasmodic attack, with some sudden impulse, in which they have used dangerous violence to those beside them, irrespective altogether of malevolent intention, as appears from their retaining no recollection whatever, after the short period of excitement, of anything that had occurred; and there is reason to believe that crimes of heinous character, for which the perpetrators have suffered punishment, have been committed in a state of mind such as that now described. the subject is obviously one of the greatest medico-legal interest and importance in regard to the question of criminal responsibility. apart, however, from such marked and comparatively rare instances of what is termed epileptic insanity, the general mental condition of the epileptic is in a large proportion of cases unfavourably affected by the disease. there are doubtless examples (and their number according to statistics is estimated at less than one-third) where, even among those suffering from frequent and severe attacks, no departure from the normal condition of mental integrity can be recognized. but in general there exists some peculiarity, exhibiting itself either in the form of defective memory, or diminishing intelligence, or what is perhaps as frequent, in irregularities of temper, the patient being irritable or perverse and eccentric. in not a few cases there is a steady mental decline, which ends in dementia or idiocy. it is stated by some high authorities that epileptic women suffer in regard to their mental condition more than men. it also appears to be the case that the later in life the disease shows itself the more likely is the mind to suffer. neither the frequency nor the severity of the seizures seem to have any necessary influence in the matter; and the general opinion appears to be that the milder form of the disease is that with which mental failure is more apt to be associated. (for a consideration of the conditions of the nervous system which result in epilepsy, see the article neuropathology.) the influence of hereditary predisposition in epilepsy is very marked. it is necessary, however, to bear in mind the point so forcibly insisted on by trousseau in relation to epilepsy, that hereditary transmission may be either direct or indirect, that is to say, that what is epilepsy in one generation may be some other form of neurosis in the next, and conversely, nervous diseases being remarkable for their tendency to transformation in their descent in families. where epilepsy is hereditary, it generally manifests itself at an unusually early period of life. a singular fact, which also bears to some extent upon the pathology of this disease, was brought to light by dr brown sequard in his experiments, namely, that the young of animals which had been artifically rendered epileptic were liable to similar seizures. in connexion with the hereditary transmission of epilepsy it must be observed that all authorities concur in the opinion that this disease is one among the baneful effects that often follow marriages of consanguinity. further, there is reason to believe that intemperance, apart altogether from its direct effect in favouring the occurrence of epilepsy, has an evil influence in the hereditary transmission of this as of other nervous diseases. a want of symmetry in the formation of the skull and defective cerebral development are not infrequently observed where epilepsy is hereditarily transmitted. age is of importance in reference to the production of epilepsy. the disease may come on at any period of life, but it appears from the statistics of reynolds and others, that it most frequently first manifests itself between the ages of ten and twenty years, the period of second dentition and puberty, and again at or about the age of forty. among other causes which are influential in the development of epilepsy may be mentioned sudden fright, prolonged mental anxiety, over-work and debauchery. epileptic fits also occur in connexion with a depraved stage of the general health, and with irritations in distant organs, as seen in the fits occurring in dentition, in kidney disease, and as a result of worms in the intestines. the symptoms traceable to these causes are sometimes termed _sympathetic_ or _eccentric epilepsy_; these are but rarely _epileptic_ in the strictest sense of the word, but rather epileptiform. epilepsy is occasionally feigned for the purpose of extortion, but an experienced medical practitioner will rarely be deceived; and when it is stated that although many of the phenomena of an attack, particularly the convulsive movements, can be readily simulated, yet that the condition of the pupils, which are dilated during the fit, cannot be feigned, and that the impostor seldom bites his tongue or injures himself, deception is not likely to succeed even with non-medical persons of intelligence. the _medical treatment_ of epilepsy can only be briefly alluded to here. during the fit little can be done beyond preventing as far as possible the patient from injuring himself while unconsciousness continues. tight clothing should be loosened, and a cork or pad inserted between the teeth. when the fit is of long continuance, the dashing of cold water on the face and chest, or the inhalation of chloroform, or of nitrite of amyl, may be useful; in general, however, the fit terminates independently of any such measures. when the fit is over the patient should be allowed to sleep, and have the head and shoulders well raised. in the intervals of the attack, the general health of the patient is one of the most important points to be attended to. the strictest hygienic and dietetic rules should be observed, and all such causes as have been referred to as favouring the development of the disease should, as far as possible, be avoided. in the case of children, parents must be made to realize that epilepsy is a chronic disease, and that therefore the seizures must not be allowed to interfere unnecessarily with the child's training. the patient must be treated as such only during the attack; between times, though being carefully watched, must be made to follow a child's normal pursuits, and no distinction must be made from other children. the same applies to adults: it is far better for them to have some definite occupation, preferably one that keeps them in the open air. if such patients become irritable, then they should be placed under supervision. as regards those who cannot be looked after at home, colonies on a self-supporting basis have been tried, and where the supervision has been intelligent the success has been proved, a fairly high level of health and happiness being attained. the various bromides are the only medical drugs that have produced any beneficial results. they require to be given in large doses which are carefully regulated for every individual patient, as the quantities required vary enormously. children take far larger doses in proportion than adults. they are best given in a very diluted form, and after meals, to diminish the chances of gastric disturbance. belladonna seems also to have some influence on the disease, and forms a useful addition; arsenic should also be prescribed at times, both as a tonic, and for the sake of the improvement it effects in those patients who develop a tendency to _acne_, which is one of the troublesome results of bromism. the administration of the bromides should be maintained until three years after the cessation of the fits. the occurrence of gastric pain, palpitations and loss of the palate reflex are indications to stop, or to decrease the quantity of the drug. in very severe cases opium may be required. surgical treatment for epilepsy is yet in its infancy, and it is too early to judge of its results. this does not apply, however, to cases of _jacksonian epilepsy_, where a very large number have been operated on with marked benefit. here the lesion of the brain is, in a very large percentage of the patients, caused by pressure from outside, from the presence of a tumour or a depressed fracture; the removal of the one, or the elevation of the other is the obvious procedure, and it is usually followed by the complete disappearance of the seizures. epilogue. the appendix or supplement to a literary work, and in particular to a drama in verse, is called an _epilogue_, from [greek: epilogos], the name given by the greeks to the peroration of a speech. as we read in shakespeare's _midsummer night's dream_, the epilogue was generally treated as the apology for a play; it was a final appeal made to encourage the good-nature of the audiences, and to deprecate attack. the epilogue should form no part of the work to which it is attached, but should be independent of it; it should be treated as a sort of commentary. sometimes it adds further information with regard to what has been left imperfectly concluded in the work itself. for instance, in the case of a play, the epilogue will occasionally tell us what became of the characters after the action closed; but this is irregular and unusual, and the epilogue is usually no more than a graceful way of dismissing the audience. among the ancients the form was not cultivated, further than that the leader of the chorus or the last speaker advanced and said \"vos valete, et plaudite, cives\"--\"good-bye, citizens, and we hope you are pleased.\" sometimes this formula was reduced to the one word, \"plaudite!\" the epilogue as a literary species is almost entirely confined to england, and it does not occur in the earliest english plays. it is rare in shakespeare, but ben jonson made it a particular feature of his drama, and may almost be said to have invented the tradition of its regular use. he employed the epilogue for two purposes, either to assert the merit of the play or to deprecate censure of its defects. in the former case, as in _cynthia's revels_ (1600), the actor went off, and immediately came on again saying:-- \"gentles, be't known to you, since i went in i am turned rhymer, and do thus begin:-- the author (jealous how your sense doth take his travails) hath enjoined me to make some short and ceremonious epilogue,\"-- and then explained to the audience what an extremely interesting play it had been. in the second case, when the author was less confident, his epilogue took a humbler form, as in the comedy of _volpone_ (1605), where the actor said:-- \"the seasoning of a play is the applause. now, as the fox be punished by the laws, he yet doth hope, there is no suffering due for any fact which he hath done 'gainst _you_. if there be, censure him; here he doubtful stands: if not, fare jovially and clap your hands.\" beaumont and fletcher used the epilogue sparingly, but after their day it came more and more into vogue, and the form was almost invariably that which ben jonson had brought into fashion, namely, the short complete piece in heroic couplets. the hey-day of the epilogue, however, was the restoration, and from 1660 to the decline of the drama in the reign of queen anne scarcely a play, serious or comic, was produced on the london stage without a prologue and an epilogue. these were almost always in verse, even if the play itself was in the roughest prose, and they were intended to impart a certain literary finish to the piece. these restoration epilogues were often very elaborate essays or satires, and were by no means confined to the subject of the preceding play. they dealt with fashions, or politics, or criticism. the prologues and epilogues of dryden are often brilliantly finished exercises in literary polemic. it became the custom for playwrights to ask their friends to write these poems for them, and the publishers would even come to a prominent poet and ask him to supply one for a fee. it gives us an idea of the seriousness with which the epilogue was treated that dryden originally published his valuable \"defence of the epilogue; or an essay on the dramatic poetry of the last age\" (1672) as a defence of the epilogue which he had written for _the conquest of granada_. in france the custom of reciting dramatic epilogues has never prevailed. french criticism gives the name to such adieux to the public, at the close of a non-dramatic work, as are reserved by la fontaine for certain critical points in the \"fables.\" (e. g.)",
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