title: [History of epileptology at the Tschugg Bethesda Clinic].
abstract: The subject is introduced with a look back at the lengthy prescientific era in the history of epilepsy. Although written evidence of fits goes back nearly 3000 years, epilepsy is considerably older in phylogenetic terms. It must have existed from the earliest times, certainly from the birth of the mammal kingdom, when brain development attained the maturity necessary to be able to produce fits. The epileptology of the years 1886-1986 in Switzerland saw the foundation of three centres for epileptics (Tschugg, Zurich and Lavigny) and a more or less rapid evolution from asylums for epileptics into specialised clinics. In the past 50 years, the Swiss League Against Epilepsy was founded as a professional organization, along with two self-help parents' groups. Major contributions to epileptology have also been given by neuro-psychiatry, electroencephalography, neuro-radiology, antiepileptics and neurosurgery, as well as laboratory technology. Epileptology's future leads in the direction of further specialization and the creation of an appropriate multi-disciplinary hospital unit. The joint aim of epileptologists and neurophysiologists, neuropsychologists, specialist educationalists, teachers of the mentally handicapped, ergotherapists and the professional advisers of insurance for the handicapped, is to optimize the medical, professional and social rehabilitation of epileptics, while always respecting their individuality.
authors: Klinik Bethesda für Anfallkranke, Tschugg, Schweiz.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Schweingruber
mesh_terms: D004827:Epilepsy / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric / Q000266:history*; D006801:Humans; D013557:Switzerland
vernacular_title: Zur Geschichte der Epileptologie und der Klinik Bethesda Tschugg.