SUPERSTITIOUS, SCIENTIFIC ASPECTS OF EPILEPSY 2

June 22, 2022
3 years ago

Superstition and the past

 

According to certain historical sources, epilepsy was first mentioned in Babylonian manuscripts more than 3,000 years ago, and the Greeks called it the "holy sickness" because they connected it to the divine.

 

 

 

Romans also thought epilepsy was infectious, and they called someone who had it "moonstruck."

 

 

 

Epilepsy has been associated with witchcraft, the presence of an evil spirit, or someone else casting a spell on a family throughout history and even now in Ghana and other areas of Africa.

 

 

 

In fact, a writer by the name of Malleus Maleficarum claimed in a book titled "The Hammer of Witches" published in 1494 that witches possessed unique abilities responsible for epileptic convulsions.

 

Biblical

 

The Gospel passage in the Bible that says Jesus healed the kid with seizures by casting out an evil spirit also makes a notable allusion to epilepsy. You may think about Mark 9:17–27, Matthew 17:14–18, or Luke 9:37–43.

 

 

 

This may help to explain why many contemporary Christians think that spiritual forces, rather than physical ones, are to blame for epileptic seizures, especially given that there is no known medical treatment for the illness.

 

 

 

Valentine is acknowledged as the patron saint of epilepsy in Christian ecclesiastical circles; hence, February 14 is observed as International Epilepsy Day.

 

 

 

Is every epileptic seizure physiological or spiritual, may be the contentious question. Did Jesus treat a non-epileptic seizure or an epileptic one?

Have doctors not all been given the ability to treat epileptic patients by God? Should modern clergy perform an exorcism on an epileptic patient or may they simply pray with them?

 

 

 

In my scientific opinion, epilepsy is a typical physical ailment that is in no way brought on by spiritual assaults. Under the right medical care, people with this disability can lead normal, productive lives.

 

 

 

Scientific

 

My opinion is that the scientific explanation of epilepsy is more important than the myths or superstitions that have been employed throughout the years to diagnose and propose treatments for the ailment.

 

 

 

It is also true that there is now no recognised treatment for epilepsy, despite the fact that science has uncovered its cause.

 

To treat epilepsy, there are several modern drugs, medical gadgets, and surgical procedures available.

 

 

 

We now have a better understanding of the processes that produce seizures than ever before because to incredible advances in research.

 

 

 

Advice

 

Therefore, it is advised that anybody with epilepsy or a family member who has the illness go to the hospital for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

 

 

 

While some patients need ongoing medication to manage their seizures, others finally experience a cessation of their seizures.

 

 

 

With time, some epileptic youngsters may outgrow their affliction. People with epilepsy should be treated with kindness and compassion, not with hostility, exclusion, or stigma.