Owen Lewis (4251)

Admission Details for Patient: Owen Pierce Lewis (4251)

Gender: Male Age: 50
Marital Status: Married Religion: Calvinist Methodist
Occupation: Engine Driver
Address: Llangefni, Anglesey

Date of Admission: December 5, 1890
Date of Death: March 21, 1891
Cause of Death:

Disease: Epilepsy and Dementia
Supposed Cause: Underground work

Medical Certificate:
He has become very violent, threatening the lives of those about him, and also with suicidal tendency.

Approximate duration of present attack: 10 years

Number of Previous Attacks: 0

Number of Previous Admissions: 0

Number of Subsequent Admissions: 0

Total Number of Admissions: 1

Relatives affected:

Epileptic: Yes

Suicidal: No

Dangerous: Yes

Clean Habit: Yes

Food Refusal: No

Sleep Habit: Bad lately

Destructive Habit: No

Disposition: Sober

Education: -

Physical/Mental State at Examination: This patient was admitted at 7.45 p.m. Dangerous - threatens others and pretends to prepare.

Current Diagnosis: Epilepsy

Case Notes

1890 Dec 7 - Patient is a man of about 5 ft 9 inches, sallow complexion, dark hair and irides. Mentally he is in a confused and demented condition consequent upon long standing Epilepsy. He does not know where he is and can give no account of himself. Is quiet and manageable and takes food well. Is fairly nourished and in fair health. Dec 14 - Has had several fits and is in a very stupid and confused condition and has to be confined in a single room by night. An incurable case.

At times cross and unmanageable. 1891 Feb 2 - Much the same. Stupid and demented and quite unfit for employment. In Ward 3. Looks pale and wretched but organs are sound enough.

Fits severe and frequent.

March 3 - No imp. and such is not to be expected.

- Looks very ill when having fits. 21 - Died today somewhat suddenly. Writer's attention was directed to him on morning round. He was the in bed and was said to have had two fits during night and his condition was described by the Attendants to be the same. The man was however obviously in a state which two fits could hardly have induced, being moribund. Whilst turning him over for examination thought he had gone but rallied a little after Ether injection. Feebly conscious. Pulse almost imperceptible and Respirations shallow and feeble. All that could be made out was that there was a consolidation of the right lung. Applied warmth and Stimulant but he died three hours after. Had seen patient more than once previous day and noticed nothing abnormal and as he was walking about and taking his food the attention of his Attendants were not directed to him. This case is an excellent instance as to how a patient of this class - demented and uncomplaining - can escape observation and follow their ordinary habits until in a condition which in others would have long before not failed to attract attention.

Medications/Treatments: Ether injection Stimulant