"If I were asked to pick only one program in which I could support research, both basic and clinical, I would pick epilepsy, because this is such a broad subject that almost any are of neurological research impinges directly or indirectly on it."

Epilepsy is characterized by sudden changes in the electrical-nervous and muscular systems of the body. These seizures or convulsions are categorized in three major forms: petit mal, usually noted in children age 4 to 10 years, is indicated by short periods (few seconds duration) of blinking or staring; grand mal, is designated by generalized muscular jerks or rigid muscles or alternate periods of each (few minutes duration); and psychomotor, found in older children and adults, is denoted by repetitious, poorly coordinated and purposeless movements.

An estimated two to four million Americans suffer with epilepsy. One hundred thousand new cases are diagnosed each year. Thirty per cent occur before age 5 and seventy-five per cent before age 18. With anticonvulsant drug therapy 50 % of epileptics can control their seizures and live active lives. Another 30 % obtain partial seizure control on medication.

"But for the remaining thousands of epilepsy patients there is nothing to stop the seizures, nothing to help overcome the legal barriers and social rejections."

"Many physicians will find it curious, indeed almost comic, that neurology should be concerned with the treatment of an important entity (epilepsy) when it has little or no idea of its cause. The plain fact is that the very nature of the nervous system and this particular manifestation of nervous disease have defied analysis."

In contrast to Dr. Adams' statement, the Edgar Cayce readings give detailed and fascinating insights into the nature of the nervous system and of epilepsy. The readings delineate a number of etiologic foci which can react through the lyden and adrenal centers and their associated nervous plexuses to the medulla oblongata to cause convulsions by pushing consciousness out of the body through the pineal gland.

"... there is a breaking; or a non-coordination between the sympathetic and the cerebrospinal systems. And it is is almost the same effect of a shock, of an excitement, that would be produced in a wire that is partially broken; when set in a certain way the current passes through, but a turning of same causes sparks or a disconnection and a reaction that makes for a flashing. So with the nervous system." 1025-3

"Then this coordinating or connection with the solar plexus nerve center, making for an incoordination with the cerebrospinal nerve system, produces at the base of the brain - or through the medulla oblongata - an incoordinant reaction." 1025-2

"When there is an expression or activity from the sympathetic nervous system, or the sensory system that responds through the sympathetic nerve system, we find there is the movement or impulse to and from the brain centers themselves. Then with a lesion or adhesion, the impulse is cut off - or deflected." 1025-2

"Q-3. From what part of the body do the attacks originate? and why does body lose consciousness during attack?"
"A-3. From the solar plexus to that of the lyden gland, or through the pineal. The lyden is in the pineal, see?"
"Q-4. Why does the body lose consciousness?"
"A-4 That;s just what we have been giving. It is the imaginative forces and the cerebrospinal forces, or the nerve supply through the cerebrospinal system cuts off - through the lyden forces - which is the sealed gland, see? They lie within those of the pineal themselves, see? When these become of such an activity, through conditions as excite in the system - as thrown out from those of the genitive forces acting through those - of the solar plexus, and the attempt to coordinate they push in so much it pushes out consciousness." 1001-9

An incoordination between the cerebrospinal and sympathetic nervous systems with resultant pressure or engorgement of the medulla oblongata appears to be the common pathway for most seizures. This "ungoverning" of impulse to the brain is due to lesion of the pineal nerve axis.

CAUSE

The causative factor in "true" epilepsy, according to the readings, is lacteal duct pathology from direct or spinal injury, fever, fasting, or prenatal source. The manifestations of this dis-ease are strictures, fusions, adhesions, lesions in lacteal ducts and centers, umbilical center, and in the jejunum and caecum. These conditions adversely affect body assimilations and eliminations, create slowed circulation and COLDNESS in the lacteal ducts, and impede nervous impulses. Other seizure forms appear to result from spinal trauma, especially at birth, through abnormal pressures and reflexes.

"... short-circuiting ... between the nervous systems in the lacteal duct area ... the lack of coordination in the nerve forces of the body; thus producing the contractions in the muscular activity, the loss of balance or consciousness in the reactions in the nervous system." 571-3

ASSOCIATED FACTORS

An important contributing factor in many cases is the dysfunction of the organs of the pelvis, their nervous plexuses, and the lyden center. Misuse of creative/sexual energies is of major significance.

"... seizures ... arise more form that as we have long given - as from an activity in the pubic center with the ducts and glands from the lyden (Leydig) forces in a portion of the glandular forces of the body, through the lesions in lacteal area." 543-29

Conditions of the organs of elimination which are also related to the lyden center seem to play a role in the causation of seizures.

It is quite apparent that epilepsy is a complex problem and requires an holistic approach in evaluation and therapy. Attention to the spinal system and centers, organs of digestion, elimination and reproduction is imperative. Furthermore, the readings indicate that seizures may be precipitated by "purely imaginative forces." 1001-5


"Q-1. Just what caused the three attacks last night?"
"A-1. Read just what has been given! Indiscretion, poor elimination, changes coming about; and a reaction." 571-2

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis and evaluation of the individual with a seizure disorder obviously requires the utilization of a variety of modern medical tools and approaches, including detailed history, physical examination, and appropriate laboratory testing. From the readings viewpoint, a thorough osteopathic evaluation is mandatory to "... ferret out ... conditions in the centers and ganglia along the system, and in the segments of the cerebrospinal system." (693-1) Spinal lesions generally will be found at the 1st cervical, 9th dorsal, and 4th lumbar areas. Diagnostic palpation will also demonstrate in "every condition that is of true epileptic nature there will be found a cold spot or area between the lacteal duct and the caecum." 567-4

THERAPY

Treatment for an acute attack simply requires placing "... a piece of ice at the base of brain and it will stop immediately." 1001-5

Long-term therapy generally involves osteopathic adjustments for lesions detected in the spinal system, castor oil packs and abdominal massage to activate "... the muco-membrane and lymph circulation" (561-1) of the lacteal ducts, jejunum, and caecum, "... a wholesome well-balanced diet, tending toward the alkaline" (571-1) being "mindful that there are kept those reactions that will keep the elimination and the activities throughout the alimentary canal in near normal manner." (567-1)

Passion Flower Fusion (Mayblossom Bitters) was often suggested as a natural, non-habituating anticonvulsant in preference to bromides, phenobarbital, or Dilantin.

Common adjunctive therapies include fresh air and exercise, olive oil by mouth in small doses "... helpful to any intestinal disturbance" (567-7), general body massage with attention to the neck for nervous system relaxation, Atomidine for purifying the glandular system, and colonics, enemas, and laxatives to stimulate intestinal eliminations.

HEALING

The Cayce readings suggest that bodily adjustments are mandatory in treating epilepsy. However, alleviation of symptoms and true healing are two quite different entities form the standpoint of the readings. Cooperation of mind - as the builder - is emphasized through prayerful attitude, consistency, patience and expectancy.

The Cayce source indicates particular significance to seizures in which consciousness is lost - that the individual is "... possessed during that unconsciousness ..." (281-4), that he or she is reaping that sown or projected in previous times, and "... that these be cast out ..." (281-4) by commanding in the Name and by the daily laying-on-of-hands.

CONCLUSION

"Hence each must be met in its own phase of experience, its own phase of activity. Consequently, we find that no matter in what form there may be the applications to a body for a disease, they arise from the life-giving force which is ever the same; whether that of creating a normal balance, that of purifying any portion of a physical body, or the creating of such a united, concerted effort between the phases of bodily emotions. So, whether it be suggestion, vibration, mechanical application or its own source of energy from the emotions of the body itself, or from the plant, animal, mineral or vegetable kingdom, it is the motivative force or power or life or God-force - if you choose - that is healing, that brings harmony - as is experienced and known by the body - that keeps the physical forces of this body, or any other body in a normal balance as an individual unit." 1770-1