In the vital processes of the body, fibrinogen plays an important rôle. Its presence is essential both for the maintenance of normal viscosity and for the coagulation of the blood. It has been stated that in epileptic persons there is abnormality in the metabolism of protein and in the clotting qualities of the blood. For these reasons it should be known whether the blood of epileptic persons shows any marked abnormality in its fibrin content. We have not seen any direct observations of this point. Besta1 found a decrease in fibrin ferment in all but eight of forty-five epileptic patients examined. Without presenting data, Dienst2 states that the blood of epileptic persons is deficient in antithrombin.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The patients examined attended the neurologic clinics of the Boston City and Massachusetts General hospitals. They were of various ages. Sixty-eight were men and thirty-two were women or girls.