STATUS epilepticus is a well known clinical condition. The closely repeated generalized convulsions constitute a clinical entity known from ancient times. Petit mal status is a condition less widely known. Lennox 1 described three types of petit mal attacks: the akinetic and the myoclonic type and the short stare. Akinetic seizures are transient and characterized by falling if the patient is not supported; the myoclonic type has jerking movements of the body, head or extremities, characteristically at a rate of 3 per second. The short stare type of petit mal is characterized by a brief loss of consciousness without overt movements. The myoclonic petit mal attacks, occurring in rapid sequence over a period of time, as a petit mal status, may be readily recognized. In the akinetic type, the repeated loss of posture is evident. The rapidly repeated short stares are more difficult to recognize as petit mal seizures, and