PHARMACIE DU MONT-BLANC

A. CORAJOD

Pharmacien-Chimiste de l'Ecole supérieure de Paris
FOURNISSEUR DE LA Cie P.-L.-M.

ENGLISH SPOKEN. MAN SPRICHT DEUTSCH. SI PARLA ITALIANO

Spécialités Françaises et Estrangères

ACCESSOIRES ET EAUX MINéraLES

Chamonix, le 7.7.02

Messeur Edouard

Doit

Alex. St. f

8.50

Q. Shouldn't I call a doctor?

A. It isn't generally necessary, unless the attack is followed almost immediately by another major seizure, or if the seizure lasts more than about ten minutes.

Q. What should I do after the seizure?

A. Let the patient rest if he wants to, treat the incident in a calm, matter-of-fact manner. Don't embarrass the patient by getting excited or making an issue of the seizure.

Q. Are any organizations doing anything to help persons with epilepsy?

A. Yes. There are voluntary agencies working to eliminate the cruel social, legal, emotional and educational barriers which now prevent persons with epilepsy from enjoying their right to live and work in dignity. The largest of these is The Epilepsy Foundation, with many chapters around the country and a national office in Washington, D. C. There are also a number of smaller organizations interested in epilepsy, as well as certain federal agencies, all of whom recognize the need for action on this important health problem.

Q. What can I do to help?

A. You can support the work of these organizations. You should also inform yourself and others about epilepsy so that many of the myths that now surround this disorder can be eliminated.

## ORDER FORM FOR AVAILABLE PUBLICATIONS

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**EPILEPSY, ITS CAUSES, EFFECTS AND TREATMENT**—
A general description easily understood by the layman.

**YOU, YOUR CHILD AND EPILEPSY**—An aid to parents in finding resources in their own community where they can get help and information.

**A PATIENT'S GUIDE TO ELECTROENCEPHALOGRAPHY**
A factual description of what happens when a patient undergoes an EEG examination.

**EPILEPSY, A SURVEY OF STATE LAWS**—A brief report of a two-year study of state laws relating to epileptics covering the following state statutes: marriage, sterilization, workmen's compensation and driver permits. ('65 edition)

**NATIONAL CHILDREN'S REHABILITATION CENTER**—
A description of the Center in Leesburg, Virginia, established by The Epilepsy Foundation for children with epilepsy, including admission requirements and procedures.

**OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES FOR EPILEPSY**—Hints on how the epileptic can help himself obtain employment or training for a job.

**INTERVIEWING GUIDES FOR EPILEPSY** (Reprinted by permission of U.S. Dept. of Labor)—Criteria used in evaluating the work capacity of epileptics.

**CHILDREN WITH EPILEPSY**—(A new pamphlet series).

**ADULTS WITH EPILEPSY**—(A new pamphlet series).

**WORKMEN'S COMPENSATION AND EPILEPSY**—The underwriting and rating of workmen's compensation insurance—with particular reference to the coverage of employees afflicted with epilepsy.

**EPILEPSY & INSURANCE**—The underwriting and rating for Life and Health Insurance—with particular reference to the coverage of persons afflicted with epilepsy.

**EPILEPSY Q. AND A.**—Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about epilepsy.

**EPILEPSIA P. y R.**—Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about epilepsy (IN SPANISH).

**QUACKERY'S GRAY AREA**—A discussion of mail order treatment of epilepsy.

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# EPILEPSY

Answers to some of the
most frequently asked
Questions about Epilepsy.

©1965. The Epilepsy Foundation

Q. What is epilepsy?

A. Epilepsy is the general name given to the symptoms of a number of disorders of the nervous system. It comes from the Greek word for "seizure." The word "epilepsy" is used to describe what happens when a brain cell (or group of cells) discharge too much electrical (nervous) energy. Since epilepsy shows itself in different ways, two persons with epilepsy may show very different symptoms.

Q. Generally, what happens when a person has an epileptic seizure?

A. During a seizure, a patient often loses consciousness and control of his muscles for a short time. He is affected only during the seizure and usually for a brief period afterward.

Q. Is epilepsy hereditary?

A. Most doctors don't believe so. In some cases a patient may have inherited tendencies that make it easier to develop seizures, but this is only a tendency, and there are persons who do not have epilepsy who have inherited such traits.

Q. Does epilepsy get worse with age?

A. Generally not. In fact some authorities believe that where people have developed epilepsy early in life, the seizures may lessen in frequency and intensity as they grow older. Usually, patients can lead a normal, active, and full life.

Q. Does epilepsy cause mental retardation or insanity?

A. No. Remember, epilepsy is merely a symptom. It cannot cause anything. Most persons with epilepsy are of normal intelligence.

Q. How widespread is epilepsy in the United States?

A. Epilepsy is far more common than many people realize. Most estimates are that 2,000,000 or more Americans have epilepsy. This would be about one in 100 persons. Since epilepsy is not "catching" (and therefore does not fall in the "re-portable" category), it has been hard to get comprehensive information about people who have this disorder. Also, many persons with epilepsy conceal their condition because there is so much prejudice and misunderstanding about epilepsy. We do know though, that there were at least twice as many known persons suffering from epilepsy as from cancer last year, and there are probably as many as 25,000,000 persons with this affliction throughout the world.

Q. What can doctors do about epilepsy?

A. The doctor is the only person who can diagnose and treat epilepsy properly. In at least half of all cases, seizures can be completely controlled through medication. About another 30 percent of all cases can gain partial control. The doctor is able to do this with careful selection and

follow-up of the right combination of drugs for each patient. A few persons can also be helped through surgery, but this method is generally used only when everything else has been tried first.

Q. Should persons with epilepsy work and do other things most people do?

A. In most cases, absolutely yes. It has been found that epilepsy patients have far fewer seizures if they lead active, normal lives. Most of them can work, participate in sports, go to school, drive a car (if they have complete seizure control), marry and have children. In some states they are not permitted to do all of these things, but this outdated attitude is slowly changing, thanks to the work of The Epilepsy Foundation.

Q. Is epilepsy catching? Should one be afraid of a person who has a seizure?

A. Definitely no—to both questions.

Q. What can one do for a person who has a seizure?

A. The first rule is to keep calm. There is nothing you can do to stop the seizure once it has begun. Next, do not try to restrain the patient. The area around him should be cleared so that he does not injure himself. Try not to interfere with his movements in any way. Don't force anything between his teeth. If his mouth is already open you might place a soft object (for example, a folded handkerchief) between the side teeth.