AbstractsPsychology

The purpose of this thesis is to report original experiments concerning the spread of the epileptic discharge and from these as well as from physiological studies of the cerebral cicatrices to discuss the nature of the epileptic discharge. By epileptic discharge is implied the excessive, violent discharge of certain portions of the central nervous system which is responsible for many if not all of the manifestations of epileptiform fits and epilepsy. [...] Since there are now at least four reliable indices of the epileptic discharge, as will be pointed out later, the spread of the discharge can be followed with considerable accuracy. An analysis of the manner in which the epileptic discharge spreads should throw light on its nature, particularly on the neurological mechanisms involved. I believe that physiochemical studies in epilepsy have much to offer in determining the nature of epilepsy and may ultimately furnish the more fundamental explanation. But a study of the neurologic mechanisms also has much to offer both in explaining clinical manifestations and in pointing the way to further research in this field. There is a great need for productive hypotheses based on sound physiological principles and for synthesis of the facts which are available about epilepsy. [...]