aved.

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CHAPTER XXVII

SUMMARY

To sum up: we have learnt that Epilepsy is a very ancient disease due to
some instability of the brain, in which convulsions are a common but not
invariable symptom.

Its actual cause is unknown. Heredity plays a big part, but there are
secondary causes beside factors which excite attacks.

Various methods and drugs to prevent seizures have a limited use.

First-aid treatment consists solely in preventing the victim sustaining any
injury.

Neurasthenia is a disease due to nerve-exhaustion and poisoning from
overwork and worry. Its symptoms are many, but fatigue and irritability are
the chief.

Hysteria is an obstinate, functional, nervous disease in which the patient
acts in an abnormal manner, which is highly provoking to other individuals.

The cure for hysteria and neurasthenia is solely hygienic, and depends
mainly on the patient.

The first step towards health consists in getting any slight organic
defects remedied.

Digestion is often poorly performed.

This must be remedied by thorough mastication and rational dieting.

Constipation is very inimical to neuropaths, and must be remedied.

Patients must pay careful attention to general hygiene.

Insomnia is exhausting and must be conquered.

The effects of imagination are profound.

Suggestion treatment overcomes imaginary ills.

Drug treatment is either of very limited utility, or frankly useless.

Patent medicines are never of the slightest use.

The rational training of neuropathic children is a very difficult but
essential task.

Puberty and adolescence are very critical times.

Occupations and recreations must be wisely chosen.

Heredity is the primary cause of these diseases. As it cannot be treated,
sufferers must not have children.

Character is abnormal in nervous disease.

Marriage is very undesirable.

As a parting injunction, whether you are an epileptic or a neurasthenic, or
a friend, relative, or attendant of such a one:

"GO THOU SOFTLY ALL THY DAYS!"

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

"Oh! for a booke and a shadie nooke,
Eyther indoore or oute;
Where I maie reade, all atte my ease
Both of the newe and olde:
For a jollie goode booke, whereonne to looke
Is better to me than golde!"

The following books are suitable for laymen, and are most of them very
readable.

EPILEPSY

We know of no book sui