WHAT IS EPILEPSY?
From a medical perspective, the term epilepsy refers not to a
single disease, but to a group of symptoms with numerous causes. The
common factor in all forms of epilepsy is an excessive electrical
excitability of the brain. In fact, epilepsy has been described as
an "electrical storm in the brain."
The technical term for this disruption of the nervous system
is "seizure." There are many kinds of seizures which can affect
almost any part of the body. Seizures also tend to alter
consciousness in various ways, such as altered perception and loss of
consciousness. The muscles of the body may become rigid or relaxed,
producing convulsions. There are many kinds of seizures, which can
affect almost any part of the body.
Although the rest of the body may be affected by an epileptic
seizure, medical science considers epilepsy to be essentially a
disease of the brain. This is one of the important differences
between the current medical view and that of Edgar Cayce. Cayce's
perspective takes the whole body into consideration. This
comprehensive view is discussed in detail in other sections. At this
point, it is only important to recognize that medical science and the
Edgar Cayce readings agree that epileptic seizures occur in the brain
in all forms of epilepsy.
There are numerous forms of epilepsy. In general, epilepsy can
be divided into two groups: 1) symptomatic epilepsy and 2) idiopathic
epilepsy.
"Symptomatic" means that the cause of the epilepsy is known.
For example, seizures resulting from an injury to the head (which can
be determined by history or examination) could be classified as
symptomatic epilepsy.
Many conditions can produce epilepsy. For example, a genetic
predisposition is believed to be involved in some cases. In others
instances, trauma to the head, brain tumors and stroke are known to
be causative factors. Yet, in approximately one-half of all cases of
epilepsy the cause is unknown. (Pedley, 1985) This predominant
category of epilepsy is classified as "idiopathic," which
means "disease without recognizable cause." (Thomas, 1973)
Historically, idiopathic epilepsy has been called by several
names. "Cases of epilepsy in which no cerebral lesion can be
demonstrated are labeled as idiopathic, cryptogenic, essential, pure,
primary or true." (Epilepsy Foundation of America, 1975, p. 17)
The earlier designation of idiopathic epilepsy as "true" epilepsy is
important because it was the term used by Edgar Cayce in his psychic
readings on epilepsy.
EDGAR CAYCE'S PERSPECTIVE
Edgar Cayce gave many psychic readings for individuals suffering
from various forms of epilepsy. While recognizing the wide
variability of epilepsy, he also stated that in most cases the cause
of the illness was not in the brain. The organs of the digestive
system (abdomen) were most often cited as the source of the problem.
Cayce insisted that most cases of epilepsy were caused
by "adhesions" in the lacteal ducts of the abdomen. An adhesion
is "a holding together by new tissue [i.e., scar tissue], produced by
inflammation or injury, of two structures which are normally
separate." (Taber's Cyclopedic Medical Dictionary)
Edgar Cayce mentioned many causes of abdominal adhesions in
epilepsy, including:
· injury or trauma, such as "licks" or blows to the abdomen
· childhood fevers, producing inflammation in the abdomen,
resulting in adhesions
· spinal injuries (particularly to the lower spine)
· pregnancy complications
· birth trauma resulting from difficult or abnormal deliveries
More specifically, Cayce noted that the abdominal adhesions in
most cases of epilepsy are in the lacteal ducts. Lacteal ducts are
part of the lymphatic system. They absorb nutrients from the small
intestine as digested food passes through the intestine.
Adhesions in the lacteal ducts can interfere with absorption of
nutrients (particularly fats and proteins). Also, adhesions
interfere with the circulation of blood and lymph and cause the
nervous system to be thrown out of balance or "coordination."
Nervous system incoordination is a primary factor cited in the Cayce
readings on epilepsy.
EDGAR CAYCE'S THERAPEUTIC MODEL
The treatment rationale which underlies Edgar Cayce's therapeutic
approach flows naturally from his premise as to the most frequent
cause of epilepsy. Cayce insisted that most cases of epilepsy were
caused by adhesions in the lacteal ducts of the abdomen. Treatment
is directed at breaking up adhesions in the lacteal duct area which
is located along the right side of the abdomen.
The most frequent therapy recommended by Cayce for breaking up
these adhesions was castor oil packs. Castor oil is a commercial
product made from the castor bean. Edgar Cayce stated that when a
piece of flannel cloth is saturated with hot castor oil and placed
on the abdomen, the combination of the heat and oil will break up the
adhesions associated with epilepsy.
The hot castor oil pack is placed over the right side of the
abdomen in the area of the lacteal ducts. A typical session lasts
about an hour. Three sessions per week were typically recommended.
Each session is usually followed by an abdominal massage which
assists in breaking up adhesions.
Edgar Cayce frequently recommended various other therapies in
the treatment of epilepsy. The most common are:
· spinal adjustments
· diet
· hydrotherapy
· medicines
· attitudes