Epilepsy in ancient Greek medicine—the vital step

Diseases can be considered as acts or invasions by the gods, demons, or evil spirits, and treated by the invocation of supposedly supernatural powers. Or they were considered the effects of natural causes and are consequently treated by natural means. In the struggle between the magic and the scientific conception the latter has gradually emerged victorious in the western world. The fight has been long and eventful, and in it epilepsy held one of the key positions. Showing both physical and psychic symptoms, epilepsy more than any other disease was open to interpretation both as a physiological process and as the effect of spiritual influences. . .