Assyrian Text Describing Epileptic Symptoms (c. 650 BC)

Mesopotamian peoples were particularly prone to seeing the hands of god in everything in life.

Disease was typically seen as both a judgement & a punishment upon the person.

This Assyrian text describes epileptic symptoms (c. 650 BC) with a demonic slant:

If at the time of his possession, while he is sitting down, his left eye moves to the side, a lip puckers, saliva flows from his mouth, and his hand, leg and trunk on the left side jerk like a slaughtered sheep, it is migtu. If at the time of possession his mind is awake, the demon can be driven out; if at the time of his possession his mind is not so aware, the demon cannot be driven out.

Reference:

Roy Porter (1997). The Greatest Benefit To Mankind. A Medical History Of Humanity From Antiquity To The Present. Fontana Press. London

Image: Assyrian Relief from Mary Harrsch on flickr (cc)

Tags: Assyrian - Epilepsy - History - Mesopotamia - Possession - Text
Posted by Medicalchemy
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Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) Treatment Uses

VNS Clinical Uses:

• Intractable epilepsy
• Treatment resistant depression

Other Uses For VNS Under Investigation:

• Alzheimer's disease
• Anxiety disorders
• Fibromyalgia
• Migraines
• Tinnitus

Reference:

• Groves, Duncan A., Brown, Verity J. (2005). Vagus Nerve Stimulation: A Review of its Applications and Potential Mechanisms That Mediate its Clinical Effects. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 29: 493-500.

Tags: Depression - Epilepsy - Vagus Nerve Stimulation
Posted by Medicalchemy
Medicalchemy Group: Images - Mnemonics - Cardiology - Dermatology - Drugs - Endocrinology - Gastroenterology - Genetics - Haematology - Immunology - Infection - Metabolic Medicine - Neuroscience - Nutrition - Oncology - Ophthalmology - Pathology - Pharmacology - Respiratory - Toxicology - Vascular.