HYPNOTISM AS CURE

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 4

HYPNOTISM AS CURE

NERVOUS DISORDERS < LONDON, July 13. Soldiers back from Dunkirk have been cured from nervous disorders by means of hypnotism. Remarkable results were reported this week by Dr. William Sargent, well-known London psychiatric specialist. One patient puzzled the doctor. With infinite care he took the man back to the frightfulness of the hours on the French beach. Still there was no clue that might provide a basis on which to formulate a cure. Then hypnotic treatment was tried. Under hypnosis the soldier—a nervous wreck—gave Dr. Sargent a clear picture of his ordeal on the beach beside his soldier brother. The brother was mortally wounded. The soldier, heart-broken at the agony of his brother, shot him to hasten his death. Back home, subconsciously he was torturing his mind about what he had done, though he could not remember except under hypnosis. Knowing all, the doctor was able to reassure the stricken man, who was quickly restored to health. Another patient was a torpedoed merchant seaman. Neither doctor nor sailor could discover a cause to account for his -nervous trouble, till the patient went into a hypnotic sleep. Then he told Dr. Sargent that he felt responsible for the death of his best friend, who, till he sank, had been

swimming at his side from the sinking ship. Conscious once more, the sailor told his story, and assured by the doctor that he had no cause for self-recrimination, his worries vanished as if by magic, and soon the man had recovered. Behind these stories of successful treatment lies a scheme which the British War Office has instituted to mobilise the country for this work. Shell shock exacted a heavy toll in the last war, and it estimated that there are still nearly 40,000 uncured cases in. British hospitals and rest centres. To-day every case is medically graded into special classes of nervous disorders, and the most advanced treatment, including hypnotism, suggestion, and other forms of psycho-therapy is used. It is believed that among the eminent specialists devoting themselves to the task are several members of the Austrian “school” of psychologists once led by the famous Professor Freud. Together with Harley Street and other specialists, they have evolved revolutionary methods 'Of treatment. But they are interested in prevention as well as cure. Every recruit undergoes a minor form of psychoanalysis at his medical examination to discover if he has any history or symptom of nervous disorder which' might affect his discipline in the front line. Thus men who might crack up under strain, or, as in the last war, might run the risk of being shot for “cowardice”—in reality due to some neur-osis—-will be found in time. , i