A contribution to the study of shell shock : being an account of three cases of loss of memory, vision, smell, and taste, admitted into the Duchess of Westminster's War Hospital, Le Touquet / by Charles S. Myers.

  • Myers, Charles S. (Charles Samuel), 1873-1946.
Date:
1915?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A contribution to the study of shell shock : being an account of three cases of loss of memory, vision, smell, and taste, admitted into the Duchess of Westminster's War Hospital, Le Touquet / by Charles S. Myers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    passed off. On Nov. 1st he shivered in bed almost in¬ cessantly ; his thoughts were still running on events between the advance and the bursting of the shells. No shivering after Nov. 3rd. He says he did not micturate from Oct. 30th p.m. until Nov. 2nd p.m., and did not defacute from Oct. 30th until Nov. 5th (after aperient here). No involuntary passage of urine or fasces. Past history.— He had been for two months in the Aisne district on the lines of communication, sleeping badly all that time owing to lumbar pains (and toothache during the first three weeks). He had failed to pass a medical examina¬ tion some time previously because of renal trouble (abnormal amount of albumin in water) until after a long period of treatment. He had had lumbar pains a few nights before coming to France. Present condition.—Nov. 6th.—A well-nourished m^n of nervous temperament, flushed complexion, and dark eyes. Movements normal; skin sensations normal. Hyes, fundi normal. Fields distinctly contracted, especially on temporal sides. Right eye—can read at normal distance, but “ things have a slight haze round them.” Left eye—the haze is much greater; is unable to see letters until they are quite near. Nov. 7th.—Says he has lost his sense of taste and smell since the shells burst round him. Gets up now. Nov. 9th.—Woke up last night and found himself crying, “not thinking of anything in particular”; he at once “ pulled himself together.” Nov. 10th.—Tested for taste (tongue protruded) and smell in order mentioned : — (1) Very strong sol. of sugar ... (3) „ (4) „ y y y y salt acid (7) „ ,, quinine... (5) Carbolic acid (1 : 40). (6) Ether . (8) Peppermint (strong) . (2) Tincture of iodine . Slightly sweet (only tasted after the tongue had been moved about). No taste. No taste, but “ a peculiar feeling as if it dried the tongue.” No taste (later, ‘ ‘ a peculiar feeling of biting on the tongue ”). No smell. Faint smell, like collodion. Faint smell of peppermint. No smell. Hypnosis tried ; patient explains later—“ I insisted on resist¬ ing.” Suggestions offered during concentration. Non. 18th.—* Says his taste and smell are returning. Fields of vision still