Historical references
Epilepsy in Ancient Babylon
“If at the time of his fit he loses consciousness and foam comes from his mouth, it is miqtu (the falling disease: epilepsy).”
“If a death-wail sounds forth from him and (at each wail) he himself responds to it, rising and falling onto his knees, a demon from the desert has possessed him.”
Text from the 25th and 26th tablets of the Sakikku, (“All Diseases”), circa 700 BC. Kinnier Wilson JV, Reynolds EH. Translation and analysis of a cuneiform text forming part of a Babylonian treatise on epilepsy. Med Hist 1990;34:185-198
Epilepsy in the Gospels
Here too epilepsy is explained as possession by demons. “When the spirit seizes him, the patient suddenly cries out, falls to the ground, foaming, and grinding the teeth. Luke 9:39.