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 To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html