SHELL SHOCK

New Zealand Times, Volume XLII, Issue 9717, 20 July 1917, Page 8

SHELL SHOCK

ANOTHER WAR PROBLEM TREATMENT OF MENTALLYAFFECTED SOLDIERS.

An interesting discussion took place in the House of Kepresentativw yesterday afternoon on the problem of dealing with returned soldiers suffering mental derangement as a result of shell shook and other disturbing effects of warfare. Dr Thacker, member for Christchurch East, introduced the matter. He did not think it right that soldiers who arrived back from tho front suffering from mental troubles should bo placed in mental hospitals with lunatics. It was a shame that men suffering tho effects of shell shock should bo placed in these common houses. These men had done great work, and deserved better treatment. He was sorry to see that the Minister for Public Health had refused, the offer of an establishment for the treating of such cases at the Hutt. It was skimpy, mean, pen-urious—-just tho class of treatment the returned soldiers were generally receiving. He knew the case of a soldier who was kept at Sunuyside—a fact that, caused much pain to liis relatives. Those soldiers were to be keenly sympathised with. The least the Government could do was to place them in separate institutions. If this were done a larger percentage of the patients would recover.

Mr Payne (Grey Lynn) said he was sure that Dr Thacker would have tho support of all members. If there were any soldiers who should have sympathy it was those who came back temporarily deranged. Unless members combined and asked the Government for this nothing would be done. Mr Poole (Auckland West) also laid stress on the need for special attention in separate institutions for such cases.

Mr Young (Waikato) said he believed ifliatt soldiers temporarily deranged were already kept apart from the ordinary patients. More could be done, however. A property of 15 acres had been offered to tbc Government by the people of Levirgton for the purpose. There was another point. The military 'authorities should immediately notify parents of soldiers who were discharged from camp on account of mental troubles. Ho know of mon who had been discharged from camp on this account, had como to Wellington, and the next the parents had hoard was an application from the police for their sons’ upkeep in a mental hospital. MINISTERIAL neglect. Mr Parr (Auckland) said that men of the class mentioned, those suffering from shell slock and neurasthenia, wore coming back in large numbers'. No attempt bad been made to properly cope with tbc problem. The Govern, inent should take immediate action Mi- Veitch (Wanganui) said that many, men coming back from the front were outwardly in the best of health after the voyage from the front. Many of these men were nervous wrecks. He was afraid that there was a decided anxiety on the part of the department to get rid of these cases. Shellshock .victims should be carefully treated, and many men could be brought back to normal health again with proper attention. PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT. Mr Wilford (Hutt) said the afternoon would not be wasted if the House could convince the Minister of the necessity for his taking the steps suggested. He instanced the attention being given beyond Now Zealand to such cases. Doctors said it was easier to deal with broken limbs than it was to deal with nervous patients. “I don’t think there is anything more pitiable,” said Mr Wilford, "than to see a big, strapping man broken up with shell-shock. It is the strong, nowerful, virile fellow who has fought through half-a-dozen engagements who eventually suddenly collapses and becomes a nervous wreck. Surely,” he said, "there is a patriotic man who would give the country such an institution. These men want an institution with cheerful surroundings—green grass, fine trees, running brooks. Such peaceful surroundings will restore to the normal state systems blasted with the shock of war, I deprecate the celerity with which these men are finally discharged by the Defence Department before their nervous systems arc well again.” Sir James Allen said he had read a great deal about these cases. I'he latest suggestions were in the lino of removing from those men all thought of war. Tho men should bo removed from tiio military atmosphere ana Placed in a homely establishment where they could receive proper treatment. The only reason they were discharging neurasthenic cases was to remove from them the idea that they were not freed from military discipline. • Mr Jennings (Taumarunui) said 'tiio public demanded that these cases should receive hotter attention.

Dr Newman (Wellington East) said there had been too much experimenting in-those matters. Practical attention -was wanted. Tim main idea in the treatment of shell-shock patients was to make them think they were not patients, and to remove them from all thoughts of the war. He was sure, however, that the number of lunatics caused by the war was very few in the Dominion. Hr J. V. Brown (Napier) suggested the placing of soldier patients in nursing homes—that was, the milder cases. Shell-shock cases were extraordinary, and needed proper attention. MINISTER’S REPLY. In reply, Mr Russell said that from the time the first soldier had returned the mental cases had been considered by the Government. These cases had been dealt with right from the start. JAt Karitane, directly the first cases reached the Dominion, a snecial institution was set up, with a staff of the best mental doctors obtainable. The patients were given plenty of out-door treatment. No effort was spared to bring them back to health. The Wolf Home at Auckland was a .similar institution. It wn s realised that if a .soldier could not bo brought back to a normal mental state six months after returning, then the outlook was a very bad one.

Since the outbreak of war thirty-one mental cases had been treated, seven had been discharged, two had died, and twenty-two remained. Three cases were remanded to mental hospitals bv magistrates, two had been discharged, and one remained. \Thcn it was known that 7.50 per cent, of every 10.000 of the general public were in mental hos-

pitals, and that out of the 10,000 soldiers who had come back there were only nineteen in mental hospitals, members would agree the record was a good one. Only seven soldiers had been kept in mental hospitals, and he did not think one had boon held as a refractory ease. Regarding the statement made, by Dr Thacker as to the offer of a homo at Lower Hutt, this had been refused, as it would bo the worst possible, thing to allow men to congregate and talk over their troubles. Tho men should be. distributed. Hie Government would spare no expense in this matter. (Hoar, hear.) They had the magnificent Wolf Home at Auckland. A member: “'Why don't you change the name?” , . Another member: “ISolf is German.” Another member: “Lot ns call it the Russell Home.” (Laughter.) Mr Russell: “I am afraid that members have matters of this kind on the brain. 1 believe this homo was a gift. I would prefer to call it after, General Wolf.” When the time came, added the Minister, the Government would bo able to take 2000 soldiers for hospital treatment.