Page:In Spite of Epilepsy, Woods, 1913.djvu/23

 CHAPTER I

presentation of these characterizations is intended as a protest against the popular view regarding the epileptic: namely,—that he is either a man no longer in the race, or by reason of physical limitations necessarily relegated to the limbo of suspended usefulness, a mere tolerated evil, because of his infirmity, hopelessly incapable of taking care of himself, and sooner or later, unless the inheritor of adequate fortune, bound to become a burden upon the State.

The fallacy of this as an all-comprehending theory has been demonstrated by history again and again. For all epileptics have not only not been burdens upon the State or the family, but to the contrary, by the mere might of great and varied capacity, just as the unafflicted, some of them have created and maintained States, conquered nations, established systems of religion, and painted masterful pictures. They have also been prominent in literary epochs, and have occupied high positions in many of the other walks of life. This, we admit, is not the rule; but it has occurred frequently enough to limit at least the plenary infallibility of the popular opinion.

The author is convinced of the injustice of this tacit declaration, if he may be allowed the use of 17