epilepsy

(ep’il-ep-se) (Gr. ἐπιληψία seizure]. A chronic functional disease characterized by fits or attacks in which there is lo of consciousne , with a succe ion of tonic or clonic convulsions. The fit lasts from five to twenty minutes, and the attacks vary greatly in frequency. A fit in which there are severe convulsions and lo of consciousne , or coma, is termed haut mal or grand mal. The mild form. in which vertiginous or other sensations take the place of convulsions, is termed petit mal. abortive e., petit mal. See epilepsy. accelerative e. Same as pro cursi vee. Bravais-jackson i an e., jackson i an epilepsy. Brown-Séquard e., epileptiform convulsions occurring after experimental injuries of the spinal cord in animals. cardiac e., that which is accompanied by profound disturbance of the heart's actions: probably due to disease of the heart orits nerves. corticale. Same as jackson i an ¢. cursive e., epilepsy marked by an impulse | to run. delayed e., epilepsy coming on late in life. at least after puberty. diurnal e., epilepsy in which the attacks come on in the daytime. focal e. Same as jackson i an ¢. ᾷ e., epilepsy caused by gastric irritation. hysteric 6., a severe form of hysteric seizure. more or le closely approaching the type of a true epilepsy. idiopathic e., true or typical epilepsy. jackson i an e. is marked by localized spasm, and is mainly limited to one side and often to one group of muscles, consciousne not being lost. e., laryngeal vertigo. See «erligo. latent e., ed 6. See epilepsia Jartata. matutinal e., epilepsy with attacks occurring on waking in the morning. mens e., epileptic fits a ociated with menstruation. myoclonus e., epilepsy marked by degenerative myoclonus. nocturnal 6., a variety in which the attack usually occurs at night, often in sleep. peripheral e., jackson i an epilepsy. pleural @., epileptic attacks brought on by irrigation of the pleural cavity. pro cursive e., a form in which the patient runs forward swiftly before falling in a fit. psychic e. Same as cpilcpsia larvalu. reflex e., a form due to peripheral irritation. retinale., temporary blindne , often occurring in epilepsy. saturnine e., epileptoid seizures seen in connection with lead-poisoning. senile e., senile bradycardia, coming on in paroxysms, and resulting from coronary sclerosis or from fibrous myocarditis. sensory 6., a form in which the convulsions are replaced by delusions of sense and by hallucinations: supposed to be due to lesion of the thalamus, and therefore sometimes called thalamic ε. sleep e. Same as narcolepsy. spinal e., spastic paraplegia from lateral sclerosis of the spinal cord, with tonic spasms followed by clonic ones. symptomatic e., jackson i an epilepsy. tardy e., delayed epilepsy. thalamic e., a kind of sensory epilepsy from disease of the optic thalamus. toxemic e., a form which is due to a toxic influence in the blood. traumatic e., epilepsy caused by injury, especially injury of the skull. epileptic (ep-e-lep’tik) [Gr. ἐπιληπτικός). 1. Pertaining to or affected with epilepsy. 2. A person affected with epilepsy.