War Neuroses : Netley Hospital,1917.

Date:
1918
  • Film

About this work

Description

Shows the symptomatology of "shell-shock" in 18 British "other rankers" and its treatment by two leading R.A.M.C. neurologists in two British military hospitals towards the end of the First World War. Captions tell us the men's names, rank, medical condition, details of their symptoms and how long it took to complete the cure, which in one case was in two and a half hours. Clinical features shown include a variety of ataxic and "hysterical" gaits; hysterical paralyses, contractures and anaesthesias; facial ties and spasms; loss of knee and ankle-jerk reflexes; paraplegia; "war hyperthyrodism"; amnesia; word-blindness and word-deafness. Although there are no precise details of the kind of treatment given, apart from the description 'cured and re-educated' we do see a little physiotherapy and hypnotic suggestion in treatment, and of 'cured' men undertaking farm-work, drill and a mock battles entitled 'Re-enacting the Battle of Seale Hayne / Convalescent war neurosis patients'.

Publication/Creation

[Place of publication not identified] : Seale Hayne Military Hospital, 1918.

Physical description

1 film reel (22 min.) : silent, black and white, 16 mm

Notes

See article: 'The Rapid Cure of Hyserical Symptoms in Soldiers,' A.F. Hurst and J.L.M. Symons, in The Lancet, August 3, 1918, pp. 139 - 141.

Creator/production credits

Dr. (later Sir) Arthur Hurst, F.R.C.P., and Dr. J.L.M. Symns with the Royal Army Medical Corps, the Medical Research Committee and Netley (Hampshire) and Seale Hayne (Devon) Military Hospitals

Copyright note

Previous copyright holder unknown.

Type/Technique

Languages

Where to find it

  • Copy 1

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    2042F
    By appointmentManual request
  • Copy 2

    LocationStatusAccess
    Closed stores
    2042FM
    By appointmentManual request

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