Shell-shock and other neuropsychiatric problems

A soldier was blown up by a mine and rendered unconscious. Upon recovery of consciousness, he was dumb, unable to work, very nervous, paralyzed as to left arm and leg. The paralysis improved so that in the hospital at home the patient became able to get about. However, he threw his legs about in an unusual fashion. Several months later, the patient was much improved.

Shortly, however, there was a relapse. Transferred to a hospital for chronic cases, the patient was unable to walk without assistance on account of complete paralysis of the leg. Insomnia, general tremor, and a bad stuttering developed, with a habit of starting in terror at the slightest noise.

Hypnotic treatment was followed by almost complete disappearance of the tremor. The patient began to sleep six or seven hours a night; nervousness diminished, and the stuttering slowly improved; but neither the paralysis nor the anesthesia of the left leg was affected by suggestion. The leg remained cold, livid, anesthetic, and flaccidly paralyzed to the hip. Though a slight improvement has since been produced by faradization, the patient still can walk only with assistance.

A man was injured in 1906 by the fall of a heavy weight on his back. In 1914 he went to France as a soldier, and eight months later was hurled into a shell hole so that his back struck the edge. He was rendered unconscious. Upon recovery of consciousness, the right leg was found to be swollen, and there were severe pains in the legs and back.