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The falling sickness, so called because the patient falls suddenly to the ground; a disease characterized by paroxysms (or fits) occurring at interval and attended by sudden loss of consciousness, and convulsive motions of the muscles.

The falling sickness, so called because the patient falls suddenly to the ground; a disease characterized by paroxysms (or fits) occurring at interval and attended by sudden loss of consciousness, and convulsive motions of the muscles.

A disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of paroxysmal brain dysfunction due to a sudden, disorderly, and excessive neuronal discharge. Epilepsy classification systems are generally based upon: (1) clinical features of the seizure episodes (e.g., motor seizure), (2) etiology (e.g., post-traumatic), (3) anatomic site of seizure origin (e.g., frontal lobe seizure), (4) tendency to spread to other structures in the brain, and (5) temporal patterns (e.g., nocturnal epilepsy). (From Adams et al., Principles of Neurology, 6th ed, p313)

A chronic nervous disease attended by loss of consciousness and convulsions.

Disease characterized by fits, clonic spasms, unconsciousness.

A disease of the brain attended by convulsions, which seizes on one suddenly, causing him to fall.

Disease of the brain accompanied with convulsions.

A chronic nervous disease characterized by convulsions or fits.

It is a disease of the brain, which may either be idiopathic or symptomatic, spontaneous or accidental, and which occurs in paroxysms, with uncertain intervals between. These paroxysms are characterized by loss of consciousness and by convulsive motions of the muscles. Frequently, the fit attacks suddenly; at other times, it is preceded by indisposition, vertigo, and stupor. At times, before the loss of consciousness occurs, a sensation of a cold vapour is felt, hence called aura epileptica. This appears to rise in some part of the body, proceeds towards the bead; and as soon as it has reached the brain the patient falls down. The ordinary duration of a fit is from 5 to 20 minutes. Sometimes it goes off in a few seconds; at others, it is protracted for hours. In all cases, there is a loss of sensation, sudden falling down, distortion of the eyes and face; countenance of a red, purple or violet colour; grinding of the teeth; foaming at the mouth; convulsions of the limbs; difficult respiration, generally stertorous; with. sometimes,involuntary discharge of faeces and urine. After the fit, the patient retains not the least recollection of what has passed, but remains, for some time, affected with headach, stupor, and lassitude. The disease is in the brain, and is generally organic; but it may be functional and symptomatic of irritation in other parts, as in the stomach, bowels, &c. The prognosis, as to ultimate recovery, is unfavourable. It does not, however, frequently destroy life, but is apt to lead to mental imbecility. Dissection has not thrown light on its pathology. To the attacks of epilepsy which are unaccompanied by convulsions, as is sometimes the case, the French give the name Petit-mal, and Epilepsie Vertige, Cerebral Epilepsy. Fully formed epilepsy is the Grand mal of the French, Spinal Epilepsy. When furious mania succeeds to a paroxysm, it is termed Mania epileptica and Epileptic Delirium. In the treatment, the cause must be sought after, and if possible removed. In the paroxysm, but little can be done, but as the tongue is liable to be injured by the teeth, the jaws may be kept open by putting a cork or piece of wood between them. If the fit has been brought on by indigestible food, the stomach must be cleared. It is between the paroxysms that the great effort must be made. Generally, there is considerable irritability and debility of the nervous system, and hence tonics have been found the best remedies. Of these, perhaps the most powerful, in epilepsy, is the argenti nitras, given regularly and continued for months, if necessary. Preparations of iron, copper, and zinc, have also been used, and vegetable tonics and antispasmodics in general. Counter irritants, as blisters, moxa, &c., may be employed, if necessary, along with this course. Unfortunately, in many cases, these means are found insufficient, and all that can be done is to palliate, removing carefully the exciting causes; such as the use of spirituous liquors, strong emotions, violent exercise, &c.; and regulating the diet.

Nervous disease marked by seizures with convuisions and loss of consciousness.

The falling sickness; a series of diseased conditions characterized by paroxysms of general tonic and clonic convulsions accompanied by loss of consciousness; or by attacks in which there is more or less impairment of consciousness, hut usually no apparent spasm; or by seizures varying more or less from these types. In severe and long-continued cases, mental deterioration usually appears. The fits or paroxysms are often called forth by stimuli in distant organs.

n. [Greek] The falling sickness—characterised by clonic spasms, violent muscular agitation, and loss of sensation and consciousness.

Any convulsion, or convulsive motion of the whole body, or of some of its parts, with a loss offense.