St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1889-08-07
Report of a Committee Ap-
pointed to Investigate
the Subject.
The Origin and History of
the Terrible Dis
ease.
One in Every Thousand Sub
l. jeet to These
Fits.

tablishment of a home for epileptics /:
The word is of Greek origin, and indi-
Gates falling sickness, because the pa
tient often falls suddenly to the ground.
This is not always the case, however,
especially with those who have been
carefully treated. 1t seems to be dis
ease of the brain, resulting in some
kind of paroxysm, which at the time is
distressing to those who witness it. The
he regains it is often for a
while feeble in body and mind.
These people are not usually stupid.
They are bright, and in many cases
above the average in intellect. Twenty
years ago the person who presided over
the board of trade in New York city,
and who was one of the keeDest, quick
est and most popular of men, drawing
a salary of $4,000, was an epileptic. In
one OF the prominent medical colleges
in our land is distinguished professor
in the midst of his lectures. 1t is a
we'll known fact that the late Pope Plus
TX. was subject to this disease. The
names of others, who rank high in the
intellectual and social world could
easily be mentioned. This malady has
been common in all ages. In the long
ago in Egypt and throughout the
Roman empire, epileptics were con-
sidered as having provoked the anger of
the IDOL gods, or they were wOrshiped
as possessing supernatural powers. In
the beginning of the Christian Era this
terrible disease was prevalent. The
great philanthrOpist and his apostles
met, and, by miraculous power, healed
those subject to it. In Matthew
xvii, Is, we read the appeal of father
to Jesus, "Lord, have mercy upon my
son, for he is lunatic, and sore VeXed."
This disease is much more prevalent
than is generally supposed. BY statis-
tics carefully gathered, it is ascertained
there are one for every 1000 in our pop
ulation. This would make 200 for Min
neapolis, 1,500 for the state OF Minnesota,
10000 for the United States and 1,500.-
600 for the world. Is not this appalling?
What shall we do about it? Shall we
continue to shut our eyes against it, and
because the shadow has not crossed
our homes, have no sympathy for and
ing untold sorrow on account of it? Is
their attention to this subject?
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE?
Very little. In all this broad land
there is not one hospital or home we
know of. provided exclusively for these
sufferers. We have hospitals for the
treatment of consumption, cancer, rupt-
ure, the eye and ear, for crippleS, and
the.si of almost every disease. We
have aSylumS for orphans, half-0rphans,
soldiers orphans, deaf mutes, aged and
infirm people, pauperS, insane, lmbe-
Gle, fallen Women-fOr almost if not ev
cry condition of suffering except cpl
lepcy. Some years ago a home for
women and girls thus afflicted was es-
tablished in La Force, mot far from
Paris in France, by Rev. John Bost,
and this home still continues under the
were two years ago forty-three inmates
of diverse;social positions, and from ten
to forty years of age. tits codnucted on
the cottage plan. The grounds are large
and beautifully ornamented. The
patients are carefully classified and so
attributed that they will be cOngenial
one to another. The home is full of
comforts, pianos, organs. amuSementS
are provided. Simple studies are pur-
sued. Interesting books are read by
the matrOn at times to any one who
care to hear them. THERE'S much sing
ing. The religious and social elements
are introduced in all their attractive
ness. A careful diet is observed. baths
are frequently given. The most skill
full physicians are in attendance. The
very best nurses are employed. AS
result we learn that many have been
entirely healed, and large number of
others have been greatly helped. There
is a similar Institution in Germany,
but none in this country. There
are private homes, where for large
price the wealthy can find shelter for
their sufferers. But the only places open
to epilepticS as class in the United
States are the insane hospital and the
county house. This ought not to be.
thrOpV it can not be. There are many
with loving heartsand large means who
will provide this much-needed blessing
as soon as they see the necessity. What
theni required is home for epilep-
tics. There are not far from 100 epilep
ties in our state hospitals at st.
Peter and Rochester. Some of these
should not be i'll the company of the in
sane. 1t is no place for them, They
are bright and Intelligent, and should
be where they will be improved, not
injured mentally. There are children
ali over our state who, if treated by
our best physicians in home specially
provided for them, would be healed of
this dreadful malady. Medical science
has done much in this direction. 1t will
do more if it has the opportunity. The
history of the work in France proves
this. We suggest, after carefully con-
sldering the matter. that house, OF
two houses, should be at once rented
and fitted up for this purpose-one
house or apartment for females and
one for males. Many are suffering, and
relief should be afforded as soon as pos
sible. Why may we rot open home
this centennial year of our government
1859? What an honor it would be to
Minneapolis to have the first home for
epileptics. What blessing we would
afford to the unfortunate. o We who
have never suffered thus in your fami-
lies, whose children are strong and
healthy, will We not lend helping hand?
We are all interested in the lonely
orphans, and there are all over our land
taSylumS for these bereaved ones. But
) is not the cry of the epileptic more
touching? 1t requires good Samaritan
to care for these. Let US hope there are
in our city and state as many Samaritans
as there are sufferers. This is no rival
to our regular hospitals. Physicians are
agreed that in these epileptic patients
would do harm to the other patients, if
admitted, and in turn they would be
injured by what they would see and
hear, especially in connection with
surgical work. 1t is enough to say that
they are not permitted to stay any time
if admitted at all in our regular hos
pitfalls, except those for the insane. So
we send out this paper, signed
by the committee. and also in
dorsed by many of our promi-
nent physicians and citizens. We ask
that it be published in the interests of
humanity in all our journals, secular
and religious. We also invite all inter
ested in the subject to correspond with
us. whether they have afflicted to help,
or are willing to assist US in helping
others. We shall be glad to hear from
the humblest and the poorest, as we'll
as the wise and wealthy. If encouraged
we will call a public meeting of men
and women and organize for work. Let