eplhyal

& s. [Gr. epi =upon, Eng., ., hy(oi 1), and suff. -al.] A. As adj .: Pertaining or relating to the stylo hyo! I ligaments. [B.] B. As subst. (pl.): The stylo-hyoid ligaments constituting part of the lower or visceral arches, inclosing the nose, mouth, and pharynx. (Quain.) ěp-1-lěp-sỹ, s . [Fr. épilepsie , Prov., Sp. & Port. epilepsia ; Ital. epile ia ; all from Gr. epilepsia : epilepsis a taking hold of, epilepsy; epilambanō = to take or get beside: epi =besides; lamb anō =to take, to seize.] Med.: Falling sickne . It derives its name, Epilepsia, from the suddenne of the attack. The leading symptoms are a temporary suspension of consciousne , with recurring clonic spasm. The first symptom is generally, but not invariably, a loud cry, and the patient falls to the ground sensele and convulsed, the breathing is embarra ed or suspended, face turgid and livid, foaming at the mouth, with a choking sound in the windpipe, biting of the tongue, and, apparently, suffocation; then the patient is left exhausted, and comatose, but, asa rule, with life no longer in danger. The spasms of the muscles are sometimes so violent as to dislocate the bones to which they are attached, Epilepsy may be caused by fear, pa ion, ., or by a blow operating on the brain; it is often a ociated with idiocy and the puerperal state. There is little hope of cure, but although generally irregular, it is apt at times to become periodic (sometimes at night). If the patient be young, the attacks often cease at the period of adolescence, or in others at the period of the grand climacteric. Frequently on post- mortem examination no lesion of the brain can Cullen calls it musculorum convulsio cum IMG:content-1077.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-1078.png:[blocks in formation]