Description
Book SynopsisEpilepsy has a fascinating history. To the medical historian Oswei Temkin it was ''the paradigm of the suffering of both body and soul in disease''. It is justifiably considered a window on brain function. And yet its story is more than simply a medical narrative, but one influenced also by scientific, societal and personal themes. Written for a medical and non-medical readership, this book describes the major developments in epilepsy between 18602020, a turbulent era in which science dominated as an explanatory model, medical theories and practices steered an erratic course, and when societal attitudes and approaches to epilepsy fluctuated dramatically. In the middle of this maelstrom was the person with epilepsy at the mercy of social attitudes and legislation, and at times harmed as well as helped by medicine and science. So entangled is the history that intriguingly, as an entity, epilepsy may now be thought not even to exist.
Trade Review'… [the author guides] us through the various and different, truly anthropological perspectives on epilepsy by laying out before us readers his vast knowledge and deep wisdom related to the topic. All is so well organized, referenced and formulated in particularly clear and beautiful English.' Jürg Kesselring, Swiss Archives of Neurology, Psychiatry and Psychotherapy
'… it presents as a beautiful study book, perfect to work with on a desk; however, it is much more than a study book, it is a book to be read and read again in a comfortable position.' Walter van Emde Boas, Brain Review
… a marvellous achievement that is enough to ensure this exceptional work a prominent place in any epilepsy library.' Peter Wolf, Epilepsia Open
'… this book is recommended reading for anyone willing to explore why they think about epilepsy the way they do – whether they may be involved professionally with epilepsy, live lives touched by this disease/disorder/condition or are simply interested in the interaction of science, medicine and society.' Markus Reuber, Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy
'… this book is a rich source of interesting aspects of the history of epilepsy in the past 160 years. It is recommended for physicians, in particular neurologists, and those non-medically trained persons interested in epilepsy and its history.' Peter J. Koehler, World Neurology
Table of ContentsPreface; Section 1. The voyage of the good ship epilepsy:; Introduction:; Prologue: a note on the concept of epilepsy; Section 2. 'A plague upon your epileptic visage'; 1. 1860–1914 the birth of modern epilepsy; 2. 1914–1945 epilepsy in the age of catastrophe; 3. 1945–1970 epilepsy and the new world order; 4. 1970–1995 epilepsy in a globalised world; 5. 1995–2020 the epilepsy floods are too recent; Section 3. Epilepsy: The paradigm of the suffering of both body and soul in disease; Epilogue: The separation of the wheat from the chaff; Appendix 1. The epilepsy balance sheet; Appendix 2. Obsolete or failed theories and treatments; Appendix 3. The international league against epilepsy; Glossary of scientific and medical terms in the field of epilepsy; Bibliography; Index of names; Index.
