| Prolonged vertigo in | 46.4 per cent. |
| Headache in | 21.4 per cent. |
| Nervousness in | 14.2 per cent. |
| Drowsiness in | 3.5 per cent. |
| Faintness in | 3.5 per cent. |
| Depression of spirits in | 3.5 per cent. |
| Cramps in | 3.5 per cent. |
| Numbness of extremities in | 3.5 per cent. |
Of the cases in which a special aura preceded the attack, the details are as follows (the special symptom in each case being sudden):—
| Loss of sight in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Loss of speech in | 13.9 per cent. |
| Loss of hearing in | 2.3 per cent. |
| General tremor in | 16.2 per cent. |
| Tremor of one foot in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Sensation in epigastrium in | 6.9 per cent. |
| Sensation in abdomen in | 4.6 per cent. |
| Sensation in throat in | 6.9 per cent. |
| Sensation in left side in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Sensation in both hands in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Sensation in one hand in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Violent pain in head in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Pain in one foot in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Sparkling sensation in eyes in | 6.9 per cent. |
| Pumping sensation in head in | 4.6 per cent. |
| Noises in ears in | 4.6 per cent. |
| Diplopia in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Contraction of one leg in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Rotation of head in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Distortion of face in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Twitching of thumb in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Spasm of eye-balls in | 2.3 per cent. |
| Disagreeable smell in | 2.3 per cent. |
From these figures we find that in 34.4 per cent. of the cases of epilepsia gravior there are no special symptoms announcing the seizure, which takes place without warning of any kind; and it is especially in such cases that patients in falling, seriously injure themselves. In 65.5 per cent. there are premonitory symptoms of some kind, which indicate often many hours before the approach of an attack. Of these last 47.4 per cent. are of a general character, and in no less than 72.8 per cent. is there a distinct special aura, which in 25.4 per cent. alone precede the attack, the remainder being associated with the general premonitory symptoms.
Symptoms of the Attack.—In the cases of epilepsia gravior there were complete loss of consciousness with convulsions, lasting from five to ten minutes, and occurring at intervals, leaving no question as to the true nature of the disease, and all doubtful examples have been excluded from this collection. Attempts were made to form an analysis of the different symptoms constituting the paroxysm, but with indifferent success, and these are not here reproduced, because they are not sufficiently accurate for scientific purposes. The patient himself can give no account of what takes place. The friends around do not look upon the phenomena of the attack with the critical and philosophic eye of the physician; hence any information from them as to the part convulsed, the colour of the skin, the duration of the seizure, and so on, is extremely vague and untrustworthy. The number of cases personally observed actually during attacks is too limited to warrant any generalizations. There is, however, one important point which can be accurately demonstrated—namely, whether or not the tongue is bitten, and in the cases under observation
| The tongue was bitten in | 68.8 per cent. |
| The tongue was not bitten in | 31.2 per cent. |
Frequency of Attacks.—Only a general average of the number of attacks can be made; and in the present series the following gives an idea of the frequency of seizures in different individuals.
| Average of one or more attacks per day in | 8.8 per cent. |
| Average of one or more attacks per week in | 31.1 per cent. |
| Average of one or more attacks per month in | 32.2 per cent. |
| Average of one or more attacks per year in | 15.5 per cent. |
| At longer or more irregular intervals in | 12.2 per cent. |
This roughly indicates that, in the majority of cases, attacks of epilepsia gravior occur one or more times weekly or monthly. Under the last series, of attacks taking place at longer and more irregular intervals than a year, are included those cases where a few only have occurred during the lifetime of the patients.
Regularity of Attacks.—Many epileptics are attacked at regular intervals, sometimes on the same day or even hour; while others are afflicted at any time, day or night. The following indicate the proportion:—