Epilepsy in mongolism.

It is generally agreed that epilepsy is rare in mongolism. Penrose (1949) states that it is no more common in mongolism than in the general population. The older authors (Ireland, 1877 and 1898; Barr, 1904; Kelynack, 1915) do not mention epilepsy in mongolism, nor does Benda (1947) in his extensive review of the subject. This is surprising in view of the frequency of epilepsy among other groups of imbeciles. It is, however, in keeping with the absence of evidence of focal lesions in the brains of most mongolian imbeciles. Engler (1949), it is true, mentions that 8 * 85% of his cases were epileptics, but it would appear that his experience is unusual; compare his statement that after many years' experience he has seen only one mongol with red hair. Of 91 patients with mongolian imbecility at the Fountain Hospital only one had fits.