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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    restricted, perhaps slightly less so. Nov. 15th.—He was transferred to England for further treatment. On Nov. 16th the patient was admitted to the Middlesex Hospital, London, under the care of Mr. Arnold Lawson, who has kindly allowed me to append his note of the con¬ dition of the patient’s eyes :— Nov. 25th : R. E. + 1-75 +2-25 L. E. -1 +2* Visual acuity, each eye 6/36 ; when under correction 6/18. Just below and to the outer of the left disc is a small clear buff patch in the choroid. The upper inner margins of the discs are somewhat blurred and more densely white than elsewhere. These features are probably not pathological. The fields are definitely restricted, especially on the nasal side of the retina, being limited here to 40° in the right eye and to 70° in the left. No central scotoma. Taste and smell were found affected on admission, but these recovered earlier. Nov. 27th.—General condition improved. Not so “ nervy.” Visual acuity under correction, R.E. 6/24, JL.E. 6/18. The patient is now (Feb. 1st) attending the hospital as an out¬ patient Case 2.—Corporal, aged 25. Admitted on Dec 11th, 1914. The patient says that he was buried for 18 hours on Dec. 8th owing to a shell bursting and “blowing in” the trench in which he lay. Can remember nothing until he found himself in a dressing station at a barn Ijung on straw. He says that then he could not see and that for this reason he fell over something when he got up and walked about there. As to his past history, he came out to the war on August 13th, and was in the last two days’ retreat at Mons and after at La Bassee. Has slept very badly since the start, often when billeted taking large doses of whisky to procure sleep. Has led a “fast” life and has had recent domestic worry. Present condition.—Deo. 12th.—A healthy-looking man with flushed face and large dark eyes with wide pupils. His general manner does not. inspire one with confidence in his reliability. Complains of pains in abdomen, back and limbs, and of difficulty in seeing. The pains are chiefly in the knees and ankles. His sight has been very indistinct since he was “buried.” Says that if he looks at an electric light it takes him “five minutes” before he can see anything again. His vision has much improved since Dec. 8th, but he can only read when the type is close to his eyes and not for long; “it all becomes blurred.” Heart, lungs, and joints appear normal. Abdomen distended and tender in lower part. Bowels not opened for five days. Aperient is effective.