ere the patient was left after
epileptic fits with a suffusion of blood beneath the tunica adjunctiva of
the eye, was in almost every respect similar to the preceding, and
submitted to the same treatment. Both of them suffered frequent relapses,
which were relieved by the same means, and at length perished, I believe,
by the epileptic fits.

In those patients, who have not been subject to epilepsy before they have
arrived to about forty years of age, and who have been intemperate in
respect to spirituous potation, I have been induced to believe, that the
fits were occasioned by the pain of a diseased liver; and this became more
probable in one of the above subjects, who had used means to repel
eruptions on the face; and thus by some stimulant application had prevented
an inflammation taking place on the skin of the face instead of on some
part of the liver. Secondly, as in these cases insanity had repeatedly
occurred, which could not be traced from an hereditary source; there is
reason to believe, that this as well as the epileptic convulsions were
caused by spirituous potation; and that this therefore is the original
source both of epilepsy and of insanity in those families, which are
afflicted with them. This idea however brings some consolation with it; as
it may be inferred, that in a few sober generations these diseases may be
eradicated, which otherwise destroy the family.

M. M. Venesection. Opium. Bark. Steel. Arsenic. Opium one grain twice a day
for years together. See the preceding article.

8. _Epilepsia dolorifica._ Painful epilepsy. In the common epilepsy the
convulsions are immediately induced, as soon as the disagreeable sensation,
which causes them, commences; but in this the pain continues long with cold
extremities, gradually increasing for two or three hours, till at length
convulsions or madness come on; which terminate the daily paroxysm, and
cease themselves in a little time afterwards.

This disease sometimes originates from a pain about the lower edge of the
liver, sometimes in the temple, and sometimes in the pudendum; it recurs
daily for five or six weeks, and then ceases for several months. The pain
is owing to defect of action, that is, to the accumulation of sensorial
power in the part, which probably sympathizes with some other part, as
explained in Sect. XXXV. 2. XII. 5. 3. and Class II. 1. 1. 11. and IV. 2.
2. 3.

It is the most painful malady that human nature is liable to!--See Sect