Disease Once Sacred

Uses current knowledge of epilepsy and epileptic seizures as a yardstick against which to interpret the thinking of the past. Attempts to trace the development of thought about individual aspects of the understanding of epilepsy one after the other and on a chronological basis.

Part 1 The present situation: epilepsy - as it is understood today. Part 2 The clinical manifestations of epilepsy: ancient times to the Renaissance; the Renaissance to the Enlightenment; the 19th century to Jackson; Jackson and afterwards; the changed meaning of certain terms related to epilepsy. Part 3 The nature of the epileptic process: the interpretation of the epileptic process; supernatural interpretations; biological interpretations - ancient times to the Renaissance; biological interpretations - the Renaissance to the Enlightenment; biological interpretations - the 19th century to Jackson; biological interpretations - Jackson and afterwards. Part 4 Remedies for epilepsy: supernaturally based measures; biological based measures - ancient times to the Renaissance; biological based measures - the Renaissance to the Enlightenment; biological based measures - the 19th and 20th centuries; biological based measures - some particular issues; insights from the history of epilepsy.