SHELL SHOCK

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 61

SHELL SHOCK

REMARKABLE CURES EFFECTED

NEW METHOD OF TREATMENT.

Remarkable developments have occurred in England during the past few months in the methods of treating shell-shock cases amongst soldiers, and other cases of neurosis which have arisen as tho result of war service. Long-standing and apparently hopelos3 cases of paralysis, loss of speech or hearing, and other functional nervous diseases have been cured in a few days—sometimes in a few minutes—by purely persuasive treatment and without the aid of hypnotism or electric massage. General Fetherston, Director-general of Australian Medical Services, visited several of the large military hospitals during his recent visit to Great Britain (reports the Melbourne Argus), and studied tho methods adopted by some of the foremost medical scientists. He was impressed by the revolutionary character of the new system of treating cases of war neurosis, and believes that its,development after the war will constitute a great advance in medical science. In an interview' recently General Fetherston described-, briefly the work that is being done at the Scale Hayne Military Hospital at Newton Abbot, in Devon. Major Arthur E. Hurst, the medioal officer in charge, is known to many Australians, as he served at Lemnos during the Gallipoli campaign. He has changed his name from "Hc\tz' since the war, explaining when he did "so that he was a member of a family that had been British for many generations. One of the three medical officers associated with Major Hurst is Captain W. R. Reynell,, a South Australian Rhodes scholar, who was at Oxford when the war was declared. Major Hurst has formed the opinion that many of the cases of so-called shell-shock are wrongly described. They are more often the result of nervous apprehension, want of sleep, or hardship. Men break down owing to the stress of war conditions, and become nervous invalids, without the power or the desire to overcome the malady. He has found that in nearly every instance the family history of such men shows_ that nervous instability has previously existed. "Intensive moral treatment" is the term used to describe the method instituted by Major Hurst. From the moment the patient • enters the hospital he finds himself in 'an atmosphere of extreme optimism. Doctors, nurses, and members of the gtaff are sanguine that'a cure will be effected, and this spirit of hopefulness is_ transferred to tho patient. The reason for his incapacity is explained to him, and he is persuaded to make tho effort necessary in order that he may regain control of the lost faculty. Some remarkable cures were effected during General Fetherston's visit to ; the hospital. He saw men walk after having been apparently hopeless cripples for many months. Others who had lost the power of speech were able, after a few minutes' conversation with Major Hurst, to speak quite rationally, and in their delight ran about "the wards talking to the sisters and the doctors. One* man who had a contracted' hand was interviewed by Major Hurst, in the presence of General Fetherston. Several years previously one of the knuckle joints, had been removed, and the patient, clenching his hand tightly after the operation, had been unable later to release his grip. After explaining how the fingers were controlled by certain muscles in the arm, Major Hurst impressed upon_ the man the necessity for, concentrating his mind upon these, and assured him that if he would but make the effort ho could open his hand without difficulty. In a quarter of an hour he was able to move his fingers, and later he was discharged from the hospital, completely cured. Some of the patients treated would in any other country,- have been described as lunatics, and might have spent the remainder of their lives in asylums. General Fetherston saw two inmates- who were always addressing imaginary crowds, and generally acting in a peculiar manner. In both casee Major Hurst was able to persuade them of the folly of their actions and they were eventually cured. Of. all the cases treated at the hospital only 5 per cent, had to be discharged without having been cured. They left the institution very much improved, however, and w*ere fit to follow ordinary avocations. From 15 to 30 per cent, were able to bo released for home service,, and the remainder were either discharged in a fit state to return to the trenches immediately, or after a period of service in. England. The average length of time the patients remained in tho hospital was from two to three months. Farm work and "other light occupations Were provided for them during the period of treatment, and games and pastimes of all kinds were available. As the result of General Fetherston's investigations at Seale Hayne and other similar military hospitals, it is likely that Australian soldiers suffering from war neurosis will in future be treated! in Great Britain before being returned ..to Australia. This practise has been followed > by the Canadian authorities for some time past, and the result is that there are singularly few " shell-shock" cases in that dominion. Attempts which have hitherto been made in Australia to deal effectively with this malady havo not proved entirely successful, but General Fetherston is of opinion that it will be possible to restore to his > former normal condition every man now in Australia whose case has been looked upon as hopeless. It is impossible to adequately treat such cases In general hospitals, however, and it may be necessary to establish special institutions, which might be staffed by medical officers specially trained in England at the Seale Hayne Hospital and elsewhere.