Shell-shock and other neuropsychiatric problems

A soldier in the artillery, who had been in the lines from August as a kitchenman, looking after the food of the first line trenches, with which his shelter was connected by communication trenches, 800 meters away, was on January 17, 1915, with three other men placed in the shelter kitchen of the trenches but a short distance away from the French artillery. The firing passed over the heads of these men but they could feel the windage, which obliged them to lie down each time. The evening of that day, several hours after firing had ceased, the kitchenman had a shivering spell, with trembling that lasted all night; after which these crises came on every day. He had finally to be evacuated to the rear.

According to Roussy, such patients always have neuropathic taint and a history of previous crises. Such a patient ought to be handled with rather severe discipline. In this way, according to Roussy, the reappearance of a severe attack of convulsions can be prevented. But these patients cannot go back to the front.