Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1900-09-07
DUE TO DISEASE.
Mysterious C.sspren-aares Ofte
Caused 10y Epilepsy

Mysterious Ctsspreer often
C21sed Sy Epilepsy
IL all the cases I'm which men and
women wander sway from their homes
without any particular reason and
were reported 20 the newspapers oc-
casional disappearances of prominent
persons would not cause so much pub
lie interest. Prominent physicians who
have made special study of nerve and
brain diseases say that the public has
no idea how many persons take uncon-
SciOus trips of greater or less extent,
and on regaining consciousness wonder
how they got where they are. They
are generally unable to remember any
thing which happened ia the interim.
1t is one Of the wonders OF brain in
vestigation that men can move about
under the control of subconsciousness
and appear perfectly rational among
strangers
Medical investigation has shown that
such attacks are chiefly the result OF
epilepsy, although the victim may have
shown no previous signs of the disease
and may never have suffered an cpl
ieptic fit. Hysterical persons are often
ahected in a similar manner as the
result CT some mental shock, such as
tie sudden loss of money or the death
OF relative. The effect is the same
whether the trouble is caused by cpl
lepsy or sudden mental shock. The
person loses consciousness and a sub
consciousness is set up. The change is
often accompanied by absolute failure
or memory. which frequently causes
the sufferer to forget his own name.
when consciousness is regained, there
is not the faintest memory of anything
which happened after the attack came
on.
The state of subconsciousness may
last for few hours or for several
months. year ago a man was found
wandering about the streets of Bling
hamton, y. Y. in a subconscious state.
lie was taken TO a neighboring insane
asylum and received the best of treat
ment. but il has been impossible to re-
establish the conscious ego. nor has the
man been able to remember his name.
n travelling magician gave an enter
tainment in Binghamton few months
ago and consented to go to the asylum
TO entertain the inmates. He had per-
formed number of clever tricks when
the victim of lost memory arose i'm his
scat and insisted on being allowed to
show his skill He performed the tricks
which the sleight of hand artist had
executed. and did others which were
much more difficult. 1t was evident
that Mt one time he had been in the
business. but the clew did not result in
establishing his identity.
Another case of this nature was re-
Gently reported by n London medical
society. y well known English bust
ness man lost consciousness i'm Paris.
He came into his right mind several
months later In the stateroom of n
steamer which was entering Bombay.
Why be had undertaken the trip TO
India or what he had done in Paris
was beyond his memory. The passen-
gers told him that he had behaved in a
seemingly rational manner. This case
was due TO epilepsy.
Nearly every New York physician
who is n specialist i'm nervous diseases
can give Instances of strange cases of
this sort which have come under his
personal observation. Only few
weeks ago n prominent business man
had an experience OF this kind which
has caused him considerable worry.
He left his office one afternoon intend
ing TO go home. Three days later he
found himself on his knees in n church
in Pittsburg. He must have acted In n
rational manner. as he had not attract.
ed undue attention.
y young married couple visited n
prominent physician n short time ago
to have the wife examined as 10 her
sanity. Both were convinced that she
was insane. She had wandered away
from home on the west side and re.
gained consciousness In an east side
street hours aftcrward and several
miles away from her residence. She
was also troubled ut times with an
imperative impulse which caused
her TO attempt her husbands life. Both
of these cases were due 20 epilepsy in
mid form. In each Il treatment cal
culatcd TO build up the general system
was given, and the patients were then
treated rs in ordinary eases OF epilepsy.
Hopes are entertained OF permanent
cures.-New York Tribune.