The following catalogue description refers to War Neuroses, 1918, segment 5 (below):
The next patient's condition is described as a hysterical gait following flesh wound of the thigh, and he is shown dragging one leg before his treatment, and then walking with no difficulty after treatment. The next patient has hysterical contracture of his hand, which has persisted for 35 months after a wound near the elbow. He has a clenched fist, leaving deep nail marks in his palm. He was cured after half an hour's treatment, and his hand is shown. The last patient is Pte. Eaglefield, who has war hyperthyroidism and hyperadrenalism. His eyes are very wide, showing typical facies and von Graefe's sign. Finally, occupational treatments for convalescing patients are shown. The soldiers parade and perform drills together, pick fruit and work on the farm. They also direct, film and act The Battle of Seale Hayne.
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I'm curious about what kind of treatment it is, psychonalysis, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteAlthough there are no precise details of the kind of treatment given, apart from the description 'cured and re-educated' we do see a little physiotherapy and hypnotic suggestion in treatment...[more]
ReplyDeleteThe article cited in the catalogue record is quite informative. A.F. Hurst and J.L.M. Symons, 'The rapid cure of hysterical symptoms in soldiers', The Lancet, August 3, 1918, vol. 192,pp. 139-141. The authors deplore the use of bed rest, electric shock treatment, etc., and recommend persuading and/or forcing the soldiers, even when fatigued, to walk in their original gait, with a good dollop of psychological manipulation -- much as teaching a child to do something for the first time. It would be interesting to have the patient's side of the story.
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