Epilepsy-Historical Overview

Epilepsy has been known to the human race before writing was discovered due to its bizarre and shocking symptoms, in prehistoric times people believed that angry Gods or evil spirits caused diseases and cured the sick. In the old Indian medicine, the concept of epilepsy was refined and developed in the famous book "Charaka Samhita" (400 B.C) which provided abundant references to all aspects of epilepsy. The old Egyptian scriptures drew attention to Epilepsy, which was mentioned by name. In the code of Hammourabi (1728-1680 B.C) a special article "278" was devoted to epilepsy & the rules governing the purchase of slave with this disease. Furthermore, Hippocrates asserted that epilepsy is no more sacred than any other disease and that this sanctity is due to ignorance of its cause and its strange symptoms. The Arab contribution to Epilepsy started with Al-Tabari, who was the first to mention epilepsy with diseases of the brain. Further, refinements were added by Al-Majusi, Rhazes and Avicenna. In the 19th century, Jackson developed the first modern concept of epilepsy and Berger discovered EEG. This was the start of diagnosing and dealing with epilepsy, as we know it today. In the 20th century, technological advances in many fields resulted in our improved ability to deal with Epilepsy and with the creation of the ILAE and IBE with the WHO a more global commitment towards epilepsy was developed.