William P. Spratling
Encyclopedia
William Philip Spratling (October 13, 1863 in La Fayette, Alabama
- December 22, 1915 in Welaka, Florida
) was an American neurologist
known for his advances in the treatment and study of epilepsy
; he is often described as the first epileptologist
-- a word he is credited with having coined in his 1904 work Epilepsy and Its Treatment.
Dr. Spratling was the superintendent of the Craig Colony for Epileptics in Sonyea, New York from 1893 to 1908, and co-founded the National Association for the Study of Epilepsy.
In 1904, Spratling was appointed superintendent of Bellevue Hospital Center
; however, due to civil service
requirements, he did not actually hold the office.
Later in life, Spratling suffered a nervous breakdown
and retired to Florida. In 1915, he died of a gunshot wound while hunting.
La Fayette, Alabama
LaFayette LaFayette LaFayette (Pronounced: /la-ˈfeɪ-ɛt/ lah-FAY-et,...
- December 22, 1915 in Welaka, Florida
Welaka, Florida
Welaka is a town situated on the St. Johns River in Putnam County, Florida. The population was 586 as of the 2000 census. According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2004 estimates, the town had a population of 604...
) was an American neurologist
Neurologist
A neurologist is a physician who specializes in neurology, and is trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat neurological disorders.Neurology is the medical specialty related to the human nervous system. The nervous system encompasses the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves. A specialist...
known for his advances in the treatment and study of epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
; he is often described as the first epileptologist
Epileptologist
An epileptologist is a neurologist who specializes in the treatment of epilepsy. Epileptologists are experts in seizures and seizure disorers, anticonvulsants, and special situations involving seizures, such as cases in which all treatment intended to stop seizures has failed and epilepsy in...
-- a word he is credited with having coined in his 1904 work Epilepsy and Its Treatment.
Dr. Spratling was the superintendent of the Craig Colony for Epileptics in Sonyea, New York from 1893 to 1908, and co-founded the National Association for the Study of Epilepsy.
In 1904, Spratling was appointed superintendent of Bellevue Hospital Center
Bellevue Hospital Center
Bellevue Hospital Center, most often referred to as "Bellevue", was founded on March 31, 1736 and is the oldest public hospital in the United States. Located on First Avenue in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, Bellevue is famous from many literary, film and television...
; however, due to civil service
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
requirements, he did not actually hold the office.
Later in life, Spratling suffered a nervous breakdown
Nervous breakdown
Mental breakdown is a non-medical term used to describe an acute, time-limited phase of a specific disorder that presents primarily with features of depression or anxiety.-Definition:...
and retired to Florida. In 1915, he died of a gunshot wound while hunting.
Works
- The Treatment of Epilepsy and Its Incipience, 1894
- An Ideal Colony for Epileptics, and the Necessity for the Broader Treatment of Epilepsy, 1901
- Epilepsy and Its Treatment, 1904
- Epilepsy and Its Relation to Crime