A statistical inquiry into the nature and treatment of epilepsy / by A. Hughes Bennett.

  • Bennett, A. Hughes (Alexander Hughes), 1848-1901.
Date:
1884
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A statistical inquiry into the nature and treatment of epilepsy / by A. Hughes Bennett. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine, Harvard Medical School.

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    for the first invasion of epilepsy is from the tenth to the thirtieth year; in females, from the first to the twentieth year. In both sexes the disease rarely commences after forty. The following table shows the ages of the patients under observa- tion :— Males. Females. 4 10 17 11 1 20 15 9 6 2 Total. 5 3° o- 20 8 y comparatively rarely come From 1 to 10 years 10 to 20 20 to 30 30 to 40 40 to 50 50 to 60 This indicates that cases of epileps) under observation after the age of forty. A large series of cases would however be required to determine any definite conclusions as to the mortality and longevity of the patients. Occupation and Profession.—These do not appear to have any special relation to the production of epilepsy. Hereditary Tendency.—In each of the cases under observa- tion a very careful inquiry was made into the. family history. This was confined to the parents, grand parents, uncles, aunts, brothers, sisters, and children of the patient. The following are the results :— No family history of epilepsy, insanity, nervous or other here- ditary disorders in 59 per cent. One or more members of family affected with one or more of the above disorders in 41 per cent. Of these last, in which there was a tainted hereditary history, one or more members of the family suffered from— Epilepsy in 63*4 per cent Insanity in I2#I >» Phthisis in 12*1 ?> Asthma in 2-4 >> Apoplexy in 2*4 ii Hysteria in 2-4 >5 Hemiplegia n 2-4 „ Spinal comp aint in 2*4 J5 Concerning the above table, it is to be remarked that frequently the patient had several relatives suffering from different diseases ;