usually involves all the muscles of the body
simultaneously. It begins suddenly with little or no warning, commonly
with a cry or scream. The convulsion may last several minutes and is
followed by a deep sleep for some hours.

2nd. The local or Jacksonian form in which the attack begins with a
peculiar sensation in some particular region of the body, either in one
extremity or one half of the face. This sensation is followed by a
twitching of the muscles of the part. The sensation and spasm extend or
advance gradually to other parts. Consciousness is not usually lost,
though it may be when the spasms culminate in a general convulsion.

Great weakness generally follows in the parts convulsed, gradually
passing away. When the attack begins on the right side of the face it is
associated with an immediate inability to speak.

SYMPTOMS. In the severe forms of the disease, the subject suddenly loses
consciousness and falls; there is rigidity of the muscles, which causes
a twitching of the face and limbs; the eyes are turned up, and there is
foaming at the mouth. In the severe form of the disease, the respiration
is arrested, while in the milder attacks, the breathing is difficult,
slow, deep, and snoring. With the commencement of the spasm, the tongue
is sometimes caught between the teeth and severely bitten. During the
paroxysm, the countenance changes from a livid hue to dark purple. The
convulsion continues from one to three minutes, and is followed by a
deep, sighing inspiration; the subject then sinks into a deep sleep,
which continues for half an hour or longer. When consciousness is first
regained, the subject appears confused, stupid, and usually complains of
headache. He has no recollection of what has occurred during the attack,
he pronounces words indistinctly, and if he attempts to walk, he
staggers like a drunken man. Sometimes, several attacks occur so closely
together that there is no interval of consciousness between them.

In some cases, there are premonitory symptoms, such as giddiness,
drowsiness, headache, and irritability of temper, which warn the subject
of an approaching paroxysm. Occasionally, a wave of cold commencing at
the feet and proceeding to the head, is experienced. This is called an
_aura_. When it reaches the brain, the subject becomes unconscious,
falls, and the convulsion commences. If the disease be allowed to
proceed unchecked, it almost invariably leads to great impairment of
mind, in