EPILEPSY

This is less substantial than the Silversteins' book on Cancer (KR, 1972) but also more likely to be of practical use to the intended age group. The authors describe, very briefly, the different kinds of seizures (""electrical storms in the brain"") and advise onlookers on what to do about a grand mal. Stressing that what epileptics most need now is understanding, they survey their fate through history, the drugs currently used to control the condition, and ongoing research on its causes and treatment. Pointing out that there is no connection between epilepsy and high or low intelligence, they end reassuringly with lists and photos of famous and physically active epileptics.