An inaugural essay on epilepsy : submitted to the examination of the Rev. John Ewing, S.T.P. provost ; the trustees and medical faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, on the 17th day of May, 1796 ; for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by John C. Otto, A.M. member of the medical and chemical societies of Philadelphia.

  • John Conrad Otto
Date:
MDCCXCVI [1796]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An inaugural essay on epilepsy : submitted to the examination of the Rev. John Ewing, S.T.P. provost ; the trustees and medical faculty of the University of Pennsylvania, on the 17th day of May, 1796 ; for the degree of Doctor of Medicine / by John C. Otto, A.M. member of the medical and chemical societies of Philadelphia. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    ( =3 ) tuiiity of frequently preventing any injury from be received. I have obferviM the following preturfors ; a change of difpolition and conduct—the mod uncom- mon and inconfiflent ideas—fupercilious looks— haughty carriage—difdainful andobfeure exprcflions, and unaccountable malice to particular perfons and their friends—i'lubbornnefs and felf-government. I am acquainted with a boy, who is cafily managed in .eral, and difplays a great pliiiUili'.y of temper and villingnefs to (lay in the hoiu'e, previous to a parox- yfm, always become refractory and run away. And I am macquaiutcd with an elderly gentleman, whofe fervant could predict an approaching attack by hi; haughty conduct and impatience of contradiction. But in many, evident fymptoms of plethora and de- termination to the brain take place, fuch as coflive- nefs, little fleep, ouicknefs of perception, headach, a dilated pupil, red eyes, and a flufted countenance. Some perfons can foretel an attack, by an unufual tai.e being perceived ; this will often occur fevt days, without any concomitant fymptoms. I have mentioned the aura epilcptica as accompanying the operation of one of the occaiional caufes of this diii a but, upon reflection, imagine that this may be conf]- dered as one of the harbingers of it. For it is of fuch a nature, that a meditated attack may be pre- vented by timely application. Befides thefe, th<