The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-09-27

temptation or MS unfortunate CuuOlUon
and u Is conspicuous clinical fact evil
dent TO Observers OF extended experience
that the former viii suffer less from
spasms than viii the latter.
Constant mental occupauoa Likewise
stimulates the circulation md imparts
a healthy tone 10 the whole organ. SIN
Under this plan. the patient ls also capd-
ble of being Isolated from the outside
world and placed In home of his own
and with associates OF sympathetic ma
lures who understand ami appreciate dis
condition. lie has mOreOver. the prOtec-
ton and guidance OF a skilled physician
who ia the inspiring genius OF the .ni'-
tuition. and IN der whose care. personal
discipline can Doe maintained. d most cs-
scItial feature in securing success in the
treatment OF these eases.
THEY MED A FIRM WILL
Epileptics are apt 20 Doe self-Wnled, OBJ
stinatc. qCcrulCus. and reckless of con-
sequences. and they especially need the
controlling influence of a lrm VIII In their
management. Proper diet ana syst cmdtlc
exercise are also important auNlliares 10
the medical treatment, ana these can De
best administered under This most rational
scheme OF treatment. Epilepsy IS a pc
culiar disease. whose cure is as dlincult
as its treatment Is varied. 10 is charac-
terizcd by periodical commissions ana by
temporary loss OF Consciousness. ana us
prime cause being unknown renders its
treatment mere or less empirical.
Hence its treatment Is 49, perlleNng as
Il Is interesting but ] believe the colo
nizatiOn plan meets Is greatest require
ments. for. "a noted above, 10 secures for
the patient = systematic life with con-
slant mental occupation according 20 the
best known scientific methods.
Fer too long 10 has been the habit Of
physicians 10 dismiss the cpieptic pa
tlcnt with q prescription of perhaps un-
certain value enforced 10y some general
directions as to diet ANA exercise. while
the greatest needs OF the poor sufferer
.Hn|.. "a ID N.HU
hands.
Is ONLY TEMPORARY
IL is too often forgotten that 10 is only
during the conyulsive seizures that the
epilepuc Is incapacitated. AT an other
INNS no is able To work and study as
other people are. but the Fact that they
have these moments of INCONSISTENCIES.
De they frequent or rae. I'm the eyes Of
the public. and toe often in the opinion
even OF The profession. dchar them from
many Of the privileges enjoyed by their
more fortunate brethren. AS result of
ihls mis'olCt ption, or rather prejudice
on the part n the laity. they can attend
no public schools. churches or social gath
orings. can engage in no business en-
uloymcnta, and ass consequence reared
I'm idlencss, they grow mp unclucatcd and
become burden 20 themselves and TO
the state, no place being open 10 them
unless II be an elmshOuso OF insane asy-
lum.
The object OF colony for er.eptics is
10 provide for the needs az. this class Of
cases by Offering these desilerata for
their treatment and cure wlicn cann0 be
secured elsewhere. viz.
Gated.
=. Industrial training OF AN kinds for
there - no vocation which some epilcp-
ties may not follow.
3. Personal discipline unler the care OF
competent ana .ymoath st.c Ir0fc.,ional
adviser.
4. \ proper home. foy,-i r. with s,s-
tent tic life. whore ,hey viii NJ l1nger
nave tho feeling OF SOCIAL OstIltIsrD
4 MATTER FOR TIE STATE
Arguments ffom "a utilittfian standpoint
might De- aiducDi 10 prove that this meth
cd is best adapted TO the necessities of
these cases and to their ultimate ameli-
Grafton or cure. but such are not mccossa-
- or proper in this corucctiln.
That every State must eventually as
sumo charge OF its eDuep0cs. especially
SIS poor. is ! think inc0ntroyertllle and
the sooner the better
There are 1000 epileptcs I'm the
United States alone, ana many of them
this day are lauguisl.ng in jails and poor
houses hceet sc their mental condition Is
not understood ana appreciated New
York State has been The first in this
country TO clo2t ting colonization scheme.
and IN the Gtnesee Valley the Graf, colo
NY. with accommodations for 100 pa
tients ON tract of 1890 acres has leen
organized after the model Of the great
German colony az Nioienel Ohia and
Illinois are preparing 90 follow her ey-
ample. Shall Virginia. who was ne 0rst
in our motherhood Of States TO care Tor
her dcmcnted Culdrcg. Doe less mindful Of
the proper care ana treatment OF this
equally unfortunate clIsst
think I can trulhflliy say that iu the
therapeutics o. epilepsy this scheme OF
moral treatment marks the Greatest
stride I'm advance that has bcoa made .a
this line fer centuries and that ne nest
r.sulfs can only b. attained ia "a conn