[Society, law and epilepsy].
BACKGROUND
Epilepsy is an important problem from a medical, social and legal point of view. Proof of this is the fact that it constitutes the second most commonly alleged cause for absolution of responsibility in Spain, according to the jurisprudence from the Supreme Court (1976 1995).


METHODS
Throughout history it has been classified as a magical, supernatural disease and has been studied within psychiatry as an endogenous psychosis. It has therefore been considered a form of madness, which has led to court decisions that have taken this concept into account. The supposed dangerousness of suffers from epilepsy must be the exception, and their supposed epileptic characters and personalities that drive them to commit atrocious murders are no longer of any relevance. The problems stemming from epileptic seizures are to be seen in civil, penal, military, canonical and labour law, very often in an exclusive fashion.


CONCLUSIONS
We think it is worthwhile reviewing these concepts with a view to their undergoing a later modification, which would lead to the full integration of these patients and to their being considered as suffering from a neurological illness.
Villanueva-Gómez
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F
Servicio de Neurofisiología Clínica. Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo, España. fvillanueva@hcas.insalud.es
Fernández-Miranda
M C
MC
D003415:Crime; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology*; D006806:Human Rights; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D007883:Legislation, Medical; D016365:Liability, Legal; D016743:Mental Competency; D011639:Public Opinion; D013030:Spain