Abstract
MODERN neurosurgical techniques have made possible the successful treatment of some patients with epilepsy by cortical excision or resection of the temporal lobe. At present, however, these methods are applicable to only a small percentage of the total number of patients with chronic convulsive disorders (Penfield and Erickson, 1 Penfield and Steelman, 2 Walker, 3 Morris 4 ). We must, therefore, continue to treat most patients with chronic epilepsy with anticonvulsant drugs, supplemented by psychotherapy and occupational rehabilitation. Anticonvulsant medication also has its limitations as a method of treatment. Walker 3 has estimated that anticonvulsant drugs will eliminate the attacks in about one-half the cases of chronic epilepsy and greatly decrease seizures in 25% more. It is in the resistant 25% that surgical treatment may be most justifiably considered, but even this method will not afford relief in a satisfactory number of cases at the present time (Penfield and Steelman 2
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