Studies of Water Metabolism in Essential Epilepsy

Abstract

The comparatively old belief, that the epileptic patient shows a retention of water before the onset of a major seizure and an increase in the water excretion afterwards, achieved great importance from two findings of more recent date : on the one hand, the frequency of the seizures may be increased on hydration of the organism by administration of excessive amounts of water in combination with antidiuretics; on the other, the frequency may be decreased on dehydration either by restriction of the water intake or by other means (see for example Fay, 1929, 1930; McQuarrie, 1929; McQuarrie and Peeler, 1931; McQuarrieet al., 1932; Engelet al., 1934; Clegg and Thorpe, 1935; Stubbe Teglbjaerg, 1936; Ziskindet al., 1939; Hagenmeyer and Langelüddeke, 1939; but contrast Cameron, 1931; Fetterman and Kumin, 1933; Wilson and Limberger, 1933; Stone and Chor, 1937; Pette and Janzen, 1938). It is therefore most desirable that the value of the evidence connecting water balance and the occurrence of spontaneous seizures should be assessed.