170 Slide – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

138 X. AMERICAN STATE TRIALS,

The next proposition submitted by the counsel—that the
mind of the prisoner has been seriously impaired by epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a disease that assumes different grades. In its
mild form it has never been known to produce any visible
effect upon the mind, and yields readily to medical treatment;
but in the aggravated stage results in imbecility, fatuity and
sometimes in insanity; but never that species of insanity re-
lied upon as a defense in this case. The symptoms in the
aggravated form are so well marked that it is impossible to
mistake it for any other disease. The attack is always sud-
den, and generally comes on without any premonition. The
patient is heard to utter a loud ery and soon falls te the
ground senseless and convulsed.

Dr. Watson, in his lectures on the Principles and Practice
of Physic, states that in most cases one of the first effects of
the spasm is the twisting of the neck; the chin is then raised
and brought round by a succession of jerks towards one shoul-
der; the features are distorted; the eyebrows knit, and the
eyes are fixed and staring; the mouth is twisted; the tongne
thrust between the teeth and a foam issnes from the mouth,
sometimes presenting a bloody appearance; the hands are
firmly clenched and the arms are thrown about, striking the
chest of the patient with great force; the breathing is em-
barrassed and a choking sound is heard in the windpipe; the
face becomes turgid and livid. When the paroxyam is over,
the patient falls into a deep sleep, and upon waking is wholly
uneonscious of what transpired during the convulsion, and
does not even know that he has had a fit. It is important,
gentlemen, that you should bear in mind these symptoms as
You scan the testimony given on this point.

Dr. Worrell states that on one occasion in 1845, while re-
siding about a mile from Baltimore, his son, who was then
17 years of age, returned from the city, having been there
during the whole day. The family at the time were seated at
the supper table, and an aunt of the defendant went out on
the porch, and soon returned much alarmed and stated that
Edward was leading against a tree in the yard, and acted aa
if deranged; the doctor immediately went out and discov-