Was Ellen White the Victim of Epilepsy?

By Donald I. Peterson, MD

1. About The Author 6 2. About The Book 6 3. Chapter 1—Allegations Not New 6    Ellen White’s Head Injury 6    The Allegation 6    Epilepsy Allegation Not New 7 4. Chapter 2—Ellen White’s Sickness 10    Sources of Information 10    Allegation of Major Brain Insult 11    Coma or Stupor, Which? 11    The Difference Between Stupor and Coma 12    Ellen White’s “Sickness” 13    Bleeding Into the Throat While Unconscious 13 5. Chapter 3—Ellen White And Partial Complex Seizures 16    What Are Seizures? 16    Kinds of Epilepsy 16    Partial Complex Seizures 17    Intellectual Brilliance in Spite of, Not Because of Epilepsy 17    Ellen White’s Visions Versus Partial Complex Seizures 18    Stereotyped Symptoms Versus Varied Content 19    Automatisms and Response to Environment 19    Odors During Partial Complex Seizures 21    Ellen White and Hypergraphia 22    Perseveration 23    Ellen White’s Eyes While in Vision 24    Did Ellen White Breathe While in Vision? 25    Long Periods of Apnea Inconsistent With Partial Complex Seizures 27    Summary and Conclusion 27