Don't be too harsh, Barb; your parents and the ancestors of all of us often were most afraid that epileptics were possessed of evil.  They simply did not understand.  Incidentally, such seizures were known as "falling down sickness."   
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John and Barbara Ekiss 
  To: Paul Drake ; [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Monday, July 05, 2004 10:05 PM
  Subject: Re: [DRAKE] Defintion of insane ca 1860


  Epilepsy was another illness that was 'treated' by placing that individual
  in an institution.  My Great GreatUncle was in such in NY in the late
  1800's.  Our family has saved a letter that he wrote to my Grandmother.  He
  wrote very well, indicating his good education.  (I have no idea when he
  went to this institution, nor the name of the place.)  He talked about the
  crops that he tended but most of the letter dealt with his interaction with
  the children of the matron and her husband, the administrator.  He did
  mention that he'd had another "spell of my trouble".

  I remember in the 50's when I was in high school that my parents, rather
  strongly suggested, that I not associate with one of the most popular boys
  in my class because he might have a 'fit' at any time and "You don't want to
  be involved".  How terrible to make me fear one who had an illness.
  Fortunately for him, others did not have this attitude.  He was class
  President in both his Junior and Senior years, star of the football and
  basketball teams and also an honor student.

  I suspect this attitude by my parents was passed down thru our family by the
  fear generated by witnessing epileptic episodes a generation earlier by this
  GGreat Uncle.  Barb


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