New-York tribune., 1873-07-02
THE PROCEEDINGS.
DIR. GRAY's ANALYSIS OF EPILEPSY.

DR. John b. Gray, the superintendent Oh
the state Lunstc Asylum at Guca was the nrst Wtness
called ms testimony was prolonged several hours
The examination by Mr. Garvln was directed wholly 70
the snbieet of epepsy 90 disease which often results
IN insanity Dr. Gray testified that epilepsy arises from
diseased condition OF the spinal cord the causes Des
various oftentimes II Is a constitutional anecuoh An"
in IT, attacks is accompanied by spasms which are not
always percepube 70 the eye OF an ordinary observer
during the period its attacks the patient turns suddenly
pale and then becomes rigid; the attacks are usually
preceded by shrn cry but sometimes the cry Is less
marked; after a very short the spasms begin, the
face becomes very red and the whole system becomes
convused this convulsed condition succeeded DYa
general xaton OF the system. and the patent as
into sound sleep that is the convulson FORM and then
there Is another OF epilepsy attended by loss OF
memory and the mind becomes affected that Is the Ger
ebra form Of the disease and though II Is the mlder
FORM it considered the most dangerous because ~
seat is the brain immediate effect Of this form OF
the disease constant impairing OF the mental laeul
ties and a gradual deterioration Of the mind
O. state some Of the in which this deterioration
viii exhibit itself the case OF studous man A.
This deterioration Of the mlnd NAV not show itself IN
simpe impairment OF the mental fscuites until u nuay
eliminates In what IL called dementa OF an enieeoe-
lren Of the brain and deterioration NAV take the
form OF frenzy, and the impairment OF the mind may
manifest itself in Dewderment. confusion oi ideas ana
lack Of application 70 study and likely to develop
houcidal in some instances small spots make
their appearance upon the face Of the patient
O. Are there not instances where this impairment oi
the mind by reason Of this disease is developed very
suddeplvf such cases are recorded IN the books ana
have seen such cases myself some years ago lawyer
came the Asylum stating that he desired the advice
OF competent physician as ne believed he was suffer
ing incipieut OF epilepsy he SAID Jhdt
he was often subject to nightmare from which MS VIE
with great difficulty awoke him. and also observed that
his memory had become very much impaired he had
studed the whole subject and desired he placed IN
the Asylum for observation and treatment while Was
talking with he requested me 20 write note for
him as he was very nervous aud in complying with his
request happened 20 look mp when discovered nun ~
the act Of attempting 70 stab the OF Prof Jack
son OF Poughkeepsie. who shot his father Tor some
alleged wrong perperated against ms mother Is another
instance can recall OF nsapitv arising from epilepsy
Mr. Garviu here read 20 the witness a hypothetical
question covering several pages OF fooscap which de-
rled the previous lie OF the prisoner and tle circum-
stances attending murder related during the pro-
gress OF the defense aud then asked him what IN hs
opinion wac the mental condition OF Waworth az the
time the deed was committed. The witness, without
any hesitation answered: Those facts would indicate
a verv marked csse of epilepsy, with mental Impair
ment.'
During The examnaton OF the witness he stated
that instances have often occurred where person
have had attacks OF epilepsy without indesi
~
O. Do understand you 20 that the commission OF
this deed under the circumstances stated you would
seem 10 have occurred b epnepuc paroxysn A
do not say that the recollection Of circumstances IL
undoubtedly limited the circle OF the epilepuc at
tack: IL ia usua that after the expiration
Of the attack the patient has no recollection OF ts occur
renee but returns 10 the performance OF whatever WORK
he may have been previously engaged in TINS j. 5he
general characteristic Of these violent attacks.
O. Is the mental or moral condition Of eplepuc
changed or modified by the O these attacks
A. can hardly say modified there Is always d change
except where there have been only or two attacks 10
lifetime and then the change may not be percepube
IN majority Of where The attacks are not very
rreouently repeated the deterioration Is ordinarily
gradual; in some there are no symptoms OF any
change Whatever and In other the change in the
mental condition manifested IN acts OF violence.
languor dulness extreme irritabty, and deprivation
OF CONSEQUENCES these attacks ordinarily periodical
sometimes they DO more than once in three
months: sometimes month and occasionally once
week or once 10 two weeks there instances where
they have occurred daily II j. disease that VIII not
Weld readily 10 treatment.
Jndge Dsvis-Have some ~ the greatest men been
epeptics A. Yes, sir; It said Cassar Napoleon. Ros-
sean, and Mnhomet were all epeptics.
The witness further stated during his examination
thai Ills testimony 10 the epleptic condition OF the
prisoner was based entirely upon the hypothesis ad
vanced oy the counsel and that he had never seen the
Young man prior 70 being called a witness the
case.
O. Do understand YOU say that the disease which
yon speak Of IN which the external symptoms slight
Is that which affects the brain and s the most df
ncult curei A Yes, SIR; 1t Is
@ You spoke, in answer 10 the Court OF the recur-
renee Of epeptc attacks varying do understand you
20 mean that period OF the varies 10 m
terent personal A. Yes Sir the recurrence with
the eOnd1On OF "
Judge Dsvlss presence being required in the General
Term for short time, Court until y
O'Clock. at which time the re-examnAtion Of Dr. Gray
was begun by Mr.. Beach.
O. You spoke. Doctor. Of an epilepuc condition con
tinuins several days within that period would the
patients conduct be rationale A When spoke Of the
seizure intended TO convey the idea that il continued
the person might nationally, and yet st the
same time be under the the influence OF epleptc attack
due To the circulation OF blood IN the brain which would
more or less bewilder him.
O. While under the influence OF the epieptle attack
understand you maintain that the paaent may con
duct ordinary affairs nationally ~ he customary would
dot A. They do certain things a. II they we're u
of perfect health, apparently
O WIN onet sleep have any influence on this cOndl-
tionf A. Usually good sound normal sleep will cause
the attack 10 pass on
which record cases Of the partial remembrance OF pa
,en,s OF occurrences during al attack Of epepsv pre-
viously alluded TO- authority aud In his medical udg
nent partial remembrance OF events which occurred
during the attack would Inconsistent with his
opinion OF the condition OF the patient The defense
here elosed.
TESTIMONY IN REBUTTAI-
The next witness called FrAncss g. Street; Who |
testified that he Of the editors OF rae Yevt