Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)
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Seizure. The medical treatment and social problems of epilepsy. Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0). Source: Wellcome Collection.
With high production values, this film dramatises (or semi-dramatises) the plight of a man, Dan Plover, who has epilepsy. Dan is seen drenched through and destitute as he returns to the National Veterans Epilepsy Center, a place where we are told he felt safe in the past, just three months earlier. In cinematic terms, we find out why Dan has returned to the treatment centre by a series of flashbacks. As a child, Dan had petit mal seizures; these are dramatised when he was a school pupil. In adolescence, he had no further episodes. Dan became a mechanic and married his childhood sweatheart. Then, he enlisted into the army, omitting to mention the petit mal episodes as a child. He received a head injury in battle which made him more susceptible to convulsions which occured in his sleep. They become a concern; he visits his doctor. Then at work, he had an auditory aura indicating the onset of a seizure. He leaves work and drifts from job to job. His wife and doctor exhort him to visit the Veterans Association Hospital. Dr Willard (?), chief neurologist, receives Dan and hears about his case history. Various diagnostic tests are carried out; his reflexes are tested (knee jerk test), eye tests, blood tests, spinal puncture, chest x-rays and skull. Psychological investigations include an inkblot (Rorschach) test. The other men in the ward look normal and are seen relaxing. However, each has abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) readings. Metrozol is given with photo stimulation (flashing lights) to elict seizures. A social worker (a female doctor) interviews Dan and his wife to learn more about him; he is given a number of pamphlets which he promptly puts in the bin. A man has a grand mal seizure in the ward tended by a nurse. A doctor then goes on to explain the nature of epilepsy; he tells the group that epilepsy is either genetic or acquired (from a trauma or illness). The doctor explains how epilepsy is similar to water in a dammed reservoir. He also explains how different medicines were prescribed in the past with varying success as different seizures respond to different chemicals. Dan is x-rayed whilst sedated; the x-rays are discussed in a weekly case conference. Dan learns about the benefit of exercise. Some of the men have received brain injuries as a result of their army service; they are treated surgically. Russell, a friend of Dan's, undergoes a brain procedure; cortical electrodes are applied to the exposed brain. A small piece of brain is excised. A doctor explains to Dan why he cannot be 'cured' by surgery. Dan resists medication saying that he doesn't want to be 'doped' and Dr Willard has to talk to him. His wife, Dora, stands by him. Dan chooses an alternative career as an auto-clerk, but struggles with the medication. He studies typing and book keeping. Many of the patients' comments particularly with regards to future employment, appear to be genuine. Dr Willard asks the men to be honest about his condition. Dan tries to get employment in his home town and fails; he seeks employment further afield. Dan gets a job by concealing his history, but his medicine runs out and he has another grand mal seizure. We return to the hospital. Dr Willard reasures Dan that science is working hard to find a cure. The film emphasises the model of total care for epilepsy. Dan leaves with hope for the future 1 segment.