A Case of “Status Epilepticus” and Death due to Cerebral Cysts of Cysticercus Cellulosæ (Larvæ of Tænia solium)

Abstract

As this is a fairly rare condition, the following case is considered worth publishing:R. P—, æt. 39, married, a private in the R.F.A., was admitted to the Isle of Wight County Asylum on January 2nd, 1915, from a Red Cross Hospital in a condition of status epilepticus. The history obtained from his wife was interesting. He joined the Army when about 18, and spent six years in India. He took part in the South African War for fifteen months. He returned to England in 1903, married, and had several healthy children, and had lived at Dorchester for the last ten years. At the outbreak of war he was called up on the Reserve, and sent to France with the B.E.F., and was in the battle of the Aisne. Early in October he developed “epilepsy,” and was invalided to England. He had always been strong and healthy till then, and never had a fit previously. Under treatment he improved, and was on sick furlough, when in November he had a severe epileptic attack, and was readmitted to a military hospital. He then became sullen, drowsy, and irritable, with occasional slight fits till December 20th, when he had three severe attacks, but came round from them, and was able to write a clear letter to his wife on December 26th. On January 1st, 1915, he started having severe fits, and these continued up to his admission twenty-four hours later.