Concerning Acts Committed by Epileptics

Abstract

Hermann Welcker 1 designates a part of this fascia which lias been variously described, but according to him never understood. In the last edition of Quain, the tensor vagina: femoris is said to be inserted between two laminai of this fascia, and the description goes on as follows: " The outer of these laminae is continued upwards on the muscle in its whole extent, being part of the general investment of the limb ; the deeper is connected above with the origin of the rectus muscle, and with the fibres attaching the gluteus minimus to the hip-joint. The part of the fascia made tense by the action of the muscle forms a strong tendinous band, which descends to the outer and back part of the kneejoint." We reproduce this passage, as it almost coincides with Welcker's description. This band is most commonly known as the ilio-tibial ligament of Meyer, who describes it as extending from the crest of the ilium to the outer tuberosity of the tibia, and states that it is joined by fibres from the tendons of the tensor fasciie, and from that of the gluteus maximus. Henle denies that any tendinous fibres rom the tensor go to form part of this fascia. Welcker's description of the origin of the band differs from that in Quain's Anatomy, inasmuch as he gives it three points of origin : one from the layer of fascia covering the tensor, a second from the layer below it, and a third from the inferior anterior spine of the ilium. The author alludes to a forgotten paper read 1 Reichert und Du Bois Kcymond's Archiv, 1875, i. 2 It has been necessary to abridge this discourse, especially the reports of cases. It has lost much of its freshness and vigor, but I have tried to retain all that is really essential. \p=m-\ Tr.