The Sacred Disease of Ancient Times: Epilepsy

The medical knowledge we have today is the result of the knowledge that humanity has had since the early days. In time, this knowledge has increased and more accurate and detailed information has been obtained about the underlying causes and treatments of diseases. The historical process of epilepsy is an indication of this situation. Epilepsy dates back as old as the existence of humanity. Epilepsy and epileptic terms are of Greek origin and derived from epilambanein, which means to seize or to attack.[1] Ancient Greek physicians, such as Hippocrates (460–370 BC) and Claudius Galenus (130–210 AD), researched and described epilepsy.[2]

• References

• 1 Todman D. Epilepsy in the Graeco-Roman world: Hippocratic medicine and Asklepian temple medicine compared. J Hist Neurosci 2008; 17 (04) 435-441
• 2 Gross RA. A brief history of epilepsy and its therapy in the Western Hemisphere. Epilepsy Res 1992; 12 (02) 65-74
• 3 Valeta T. The Epilepsy Book: A Companion for Patients, Optimizing Diagnosis and Treatment. Switzerland: Springer; 2017: 1-5
• 4 Magiorkinis E, Sidiropoulou K, Diamantis A. Hallmarks in the history of epilepsy: epilepsy in antiquity. Epilepsy Behav 2010; 17 (01) 103-108
• 5 Temkin O. The Falling Sickness. Baltimore, MA: John Hopkins Press; 1945
• 6 Asadi-Pooya AA, Nikseresht AR, Yaghoubi E. Old remedies for epilepsy: Avicenna's medicine. Iran Red Crescent Med J 2012; 14 (03) 174-177
• 7 Ali R, Connolly ID, Feroze AH, Awad AJ, Choudhri OA, Grant GA. Epilepsy: a disruptive force in history. World Neurosurg 2016; 90: 685-690