'Seizing upon' a patient : epitome of a case of epilepsy / by George M. Gould.

  • Gould, George Milbrey, 1848-1922.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: 'Seizing upon' a patient : epitome of a case of epilepsy / by George M. Gould. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    some clutching- or contractions'of the fingers of the right hand or arm. It was most na- tural that the overworked and inordinately ir- ritated centre of the music-playing hand should show some irritability and that the aura should begin in tbe corresponding organ. The professor of neurology could not imagine such a cause, and at once sent the patient to the professor of surgery, who also “seized upon him,” and trephined over the central motor area of the right hand. No tumor or other morbid condition was found to explain “the Jacksonian epilepsy.’.’ The man finally re- covered from the operation, and' while con- valescing no attacks occurred. But they did recur when the patient l>egan the use of^ his eyes after -recovery and leaving the hospital. Then, the first operation having been so suc- cessful—in certain ways, at least, successfu —a second trephining was demanded, and the poor compliant patient obeyed. Upon recov- ery the man was told that sufficient disease of the brain had been found to cause the epilepsy, but it could not be promised that the attacks would cease. “We have done our duty,” it was added, “and all we can, and it is up to you to get well” (these were the words used). Owing to pain in the forehead and at the back of the neck following directly the music- reading and playing, the patient had discon- tinued these exercises and concerts. Once while playing he had fallen out of his chair to the floor. Several times the patient tried to tell the learned professors when and how the seizures came on, of his belief that the music-