1917 | United Kingdom | Documentary

War Neuroses: Netley Hospital – pt. 4 of 5

  • 5 mins
  • Director | -
  • Writer | -
  • Producer | Arthur Hurst, F.R.C.P., Dr. J.L.M. Symns

STATUS: Released

This film is currently not available.   

Pte. Richards had a hysterical gait following shell-shock whilst suffering from trench fever. He was cured by persuasion and re-education on the day of admission. He is shown at 2pm before the treatment, walking slowly with two walking sticks, after half an hour of treatment, when he does not need the sticks, and an hour later, cured and with a normal walk. Pte. Bradshaw had complete hysterical monoplegia following salvarsan injection. He had been paraplegic for two months after burial. He was cured the day of his admission. He is shown before treatment and attempts to stand, walk and move his legs whilst lying down and he cannot get out of his chair without assistance. He is shown during treatment lying on a bed and moving his legs less shakily. He is cured after another 15 minutes' suggestion and re-education. An intertitle describes a patient's condition as 'hysterical pseudo-pseudohypertrophic muscular paralysis', and his walk is shown before treatment, after an hour of treatment, and a week later. Before treatment his legs are very rigid and he has great difficulty walking, lying down and standing up again. During treatment his movements are more natural, and after treatments he has a very normal walk and can lie down and get up again. An intertitle describes the next patient's condition as 'hysterical gait following sciatica', and the patient's rigid and jerky walk is shown before treatment, and then after an hour of treatment, he is shown running up and down steps and jumping over a gate.

Hysterical Paralysis Recovery Treatment Soldiers
Film Organizations
Wellcome Trust
DISTRIBUTION