Secrecy and Safety: A Cultural History of Seizures in Modern America

A history of epilepsy and the work required to manage it.

In the middle of the twentieth century, medical advancements like anticonvulsant drugs and electroencephalograms promised new possibilities for managing seizures. At the same time, people with epilepsy were navigating a complex medical landscape and enduring social prejudice. In Secrecy and Safety, historian Rachel Elder presents a deeply researched history of epilepsy and the stories of individuals grappling with the dual burden of l...