Case XXXIV. Epileptic Fits—Twelve Years’ Duration—Operation—Cure.
S. F., æt. 41, single; admitted into the London Surgical Home Dec. 16, 1861.
History.—Was always ailing, and hysterical for many years. Catamenia appeared early, and always rather profuse. For the last twelve years has suffered from epileptic fits; recurring frequently every week or fortnight, and lately as often as every day. Has constant headaches; is losing memory and all power of concentrating her ideas. Has no premonition of seizure; falls down; is unconscious; has frequently bitten her tongue; and “froths” at the mouth. Says she has had several attacks of hæmatemesis. She was a dressmaker, and had so frequently, on her way to or from business, fallen in the streets, that she had been carried into almost every hospital in London, and a large number of open surgeries.
On examination there was found every indication of irritation about the vulva, and also a small polypus of the os uteri, which latter was large and patulous.
Dec. 19. Usual operation of excision; polypus uteri also removed.
The recovery of this patient was rapid and uninterrupted. After the operation, she never had a fit, and hardly a headache. She was discharged Jan. 20, 1862, perfectly well, and with greatly increased mental power. When heard of at commencement of 1864, she remained well, and had had no recurrence of any of her old symptoms.