Although seizures have been described since ancient times, it is surprising how scant are the descriptions of what today is clearly identified as status epilepticus (SE). Perhaps the earliest reference to the condition of epilepsy and prolonged, ongoing seizure activity—SE—may be found in the Sakikku Cuneiform Tablet , which notes: If the possessing demon possesses him many times during the middle watch of the night, and at the time of his possession his hands and feet are cold, he is much darkened, keeps opening and shutting his mouth, is brown and yellow as to the eye. It may go on for some time, but he will die. (XXV–XXVI Tablet Obverse 629–539 BC) Caelius Aurelianus notes that “fits can recur … even in the same day,” and comments further on the mortality when “the attack extends into the second day.” Saul, while prophesying at Ramah, was to be diagnosed as having status epilepticus . During the Renaissance period, Thomas Willis in England noted (in Pathologiae cerebri et nervosi generis specimen. In quo agitur de morbis convulsivis et de scrobuto, 1667, Pordage S, translator, 1681.) : [W]hen as fits are often repeated, and every time grow more cruel, the animal function is quickly debilitated; and from thence, but the taint, by degrees brought on the spirits, and the Nerves serving the Praecordia, the vital function is by little and little enervated, till at length, the whole body languishing, and the pulse loosened, and at length ceasing, at last the vital flame is extinguished.Although seizures have been described since ancient times, it is surprising how scant are the descriptions of what today is clearly identified as status epilepticus (SE). Perhaps the earliest reference to the condition of epilepsy and prolonged, ongoing seizure activity—SE—may be found in the Sakikku Cuneiform Tablet , which notes: If the possessing demon possesses him many times during the middle watch of the night, and at the time of his possession his hands and feet are cold, he is much darkened, keeps opening and shutting his mouth, is brown and yellow as to the eye. It may go on for some time, but he will die. (XXV–XXVI Tablet Obverse 629–539 BC) Caelius Aurelianus notes that “fits can recur … even in the same day,” and comments further on the mortality when “the attack extends into the second day.” Saul, while prophesying at Ramah, was to be diagnosed as having status epilepticus . During the Renaissance period, Thomas Willis in England noted (in Pathologiae cerebri et nervosi generis specimen. In quo agitur de morbis convulsivis et de scrobuto, 1667, Pordage S, translator, 1681.) : [W]hen as fits are often repeated, and every time grow more cruel, the animal function is quickly debilitated; and from thence, but the taint, by degrees brought on the spirits, and the Nerves serving the Praecordia, the vital function is by little and little enervated, till at length, the whole body languishing, and the pulse loosened, and at length ceasing, at last the vital flame is extinguished.