Epilepsy, or at least a tendency to it, is often transmitted from the parents, hence the necessity of selecting for the breeding kennel only such animals as are free from this as well as other diseases. There is always present in this disease some disturbance of the nerves, often of such a nature as to defy the most elaborate and scientific diagnosis.

In human practice - aside from the care of bodily health - the treatment is mostly guesswork, as there is no known remedy for the disease, though it is true that in very many cases marked improvement will follow treatment, and in some instances complete recovery will take place; but it is an open question whether the improvement should be attributed to the medicine prescribed or to the nursing and care bestowed upon the patient.

For.many years I have entirely discontinued the use of all powerful drugs in every case of epilepsy that has come under my care. In treating this disease, it is of paramount importance that the bodily health of the patient should be at once attended to, and measures should at once be taken to restore it to its normal condition.

If other disease is present, the proper remedies to overcome it should be used, and, in case of plethora, dietary measures, strict and severe - if demanded by the nature of the condition - must be resorted to. Careful nursing, together with proper attention to diet, is the very best treatment possible. Good judgment will be required in deciding upon just the proper amount of exercise necessary for the patient to take, regulating this as appears to be best in each particular case. In some instances only very gentle exercise is all that prudence will allow, while in others a large amount will prove to be of benefit.

As this disease is produced by some disturbance of the nerves, it is of the utmost importance that the patient should be kept as quiet as possible, in a secluded place, with nothing to disturb him, taking especial care when attending him to refrain from any quick motion or unnecessary noise; and in every case, upon entering or leaving his presence, speak kind, cheerful words to him; and on no account should you allow yourself to address him in the sad, pitying tone that is too often heard in the sick-room. This tone and words of pity are perhaps well enough in cases of slight bodily hurt, but in no case should they be heard by the seriously sick, especially if suffering from any nervous affection.

It is well known that in all nervous disorders the state of the mind has much to do in hastening or retarding recovery; therefore, so surround your patient with pleasant material for cheerful thought that all danger from sad ones will be avoided.