The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-12-25
CURE FOR EPILEPSY.
Description of a Remarkable oper-
alton Performed in New York.


Epilepsy, until recently, has baffled the in
genuity of medical experts. The epileptic
patient, but a short time ago, was compelled
to suffer the pangs Of the disease while med
ical science stood by with hands raised in pity,
but helpless There was nothing for him but
death, and this was considered a merciful re-
lief But recent experiments have brought
about change. 1t has been established
that epilepsy is due to some interference with
natural functions of the brain, either by
non-conformity of the skull, or some abnor-
NAL growth in the brain substance 1t has
been shown in living animals that weak
galyanic current, applied to certain portions
of the brain, would excite specific muscular
movements, and by experiment with the cur
rant it has been found that the brain is made
up of motor areas, and each area controls the
motion of certain muscles. The localiZation
of the motor areas is only in its infancy, but
enough is known now about the subject to
enable skllful surgeon to pick out the local
ity where the pain has not full play and to
localize the seat of the epilepsy with some de-
gree of certainty. The external manifesto
ton Of the brain obstruction is looked for in
muscular system. When it is settled where
the brain interruption is, the cure is within
the reach of surgery, IL properly applied
There is now patient at st. Elizabeth's
Hospital who has been subjected to this new
treatment, and with marked success The
patient is Joseph Martinez, thirteen-year-
old boy. He was admitted to the hospital
about three weeks ago. About three years
ago, while at school in France. young Marti-
net was struck on the head with glass mug
A large cash was made in the scalp by the
blow and the wound bled freely After about
four weeks treatment the wound healed, and
the boy soon regained his normal condition.
For a time he remained well. Then he be-
came listless, did not take any interest in
or 1Alox nd in, oh 10
was injured he had to give up school, and
came to his home in this country He COM
planned of constant pain in his head and Of
dizziness. He had fainting fits and was
subject to violent commissions.
Several physicians treated the boy for differ
ent complaints, but he did not improve, and
his case was considered puzzling. Despite
everything that was done for him, the con-
lence; the pain in his head was unbearable,
and he was so dizzy that he moved in con-
slant fear of falling. When admitted to the
hospital he was carefully examined by DR..
=. j. Keane, the consulting surgeon, who
has made special study of epilepsy, and the
trouble was found to be in the boys skull.
The blow on his head had fractured the
skull at the junction of the frontal and pari-
etal bones. The depression was not seen by
the bungling druggist who first attended the
patient. The result was that, as the brain
| increased in size, the pressure upon it became
| greater, and the epileptic fits ensued
1t was not necessary to use any artificial
means to determine the location of the injury
in This case, as the depression could be easily
felt An operation was advised as the only
treatment that could be of any benefit. AS
the boys system was run down he was put
upon course of tonic treatment to give him
strength to stand the shock, and then the
operation was performed.
Ether having been given to the patient the
hair was cut from his head over the place
where it had been injured. Then two incis-
ions were made in the scalp, which were pro,
jected to a point, and the flesh was raised
from the bone with knife. The depression
was well marked. A medium sized trephine
was applied to the depressed bone at the deep
est point and the work of boring through
the skull was begun. Carefully was the in
strument turned halfway round and back a.
| gain, under slight pressure, until the little
| streaks OF blood appeared in the shaving of
| bone, which indicated that the outer table of
| the skull had been penetrated. The same
motion was kept up with greater caution,
and small probe was inserted from time to
| time in the cut in the bone to find its depth
| Gradually the trephine sank through the in
ner table, until the porbe struck soft sub
stance.
This was the brain. Nomore cutting was
done; and by using fine, blunt hook, a
| round button of bone about an inch in diane
ter, was torn away. The palpitating brain
was exposed, and the pressure upon it forced
1t through the surrounding skull, so that
portion protruded. Itwas Slightly congested.
The bone which was pressing upon the brain
was cut into pieces by forceps and taken a.
way. The hole was enlarged in this way I'M
til it was larger than half-dollar. All the
fragments of bone were picked up by forceps
from the brain, ana the surface was then
thoroughly washed with a bi-chloride of mer-
curry solution The wound was dressed and
the head bandaged, and the patient was
taken to his cot
The improvement in his condition was i'm
mediate No bad symptoms followed the
trephining. Since the operation there have
been no commissions, pain or dizziness. In
through the hospital He has gained flesh
and strength rapidly. Not an epileptic
symptom has appeared, and from the present
indications there has been a radical cure.
The patient will leave the hospital in few
days with hole in his skull, but otherwise
sound and hearty.