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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'.

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

War Neuroses : Netley Hospital,1917.

From the publisher: In this strikingly original and groundbreaking book, Dr. Shay examines the psychological devastation of war by comparing the soldiers of Homer's Iliad with Vietnam veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Although the Iliad was written twenty-seven centuries ago it has much to teach about combat trauma, as do the more recent, compelling voices and experiences of Vietnam vets.

Achilles in Vietnam : combat trauma and the undoing of character / Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D.

The ghost road / Pat Barker.

224 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, facsimiles, portraits ; 20 cm

Shell shock / Wendy Holden.

The author draws parallels between the Odyssey and the experiences of Vietnam veterans after returning to the United States.

Odysseus in America : combat trauma and the trials of homecoming / Jonathan Shay ; foreword by Max Cleland and John McCain.

A series of case histories of German combattant soldiers and sailors showing severe neurological symptoms of 'shell shock' both before and after treatment by hypnotic suggestion. Inter-titles for each section include: Linkseitige funktionelle lahnung (leftsided-functional paralysis) / Bauchmuskeldrampfe nach Granateinschlag (Abdominal muscle cramps following shellfire) / Zwerchfellkrampf durch starken Schreck (Diaphragmatic spasms caused by severe shock) / Schwere allgemeine Muskeldrampfe nach Verschuttung (Severe general muscular convulsions following accidental burying) / Schwere klonische krampfe der korpermuskulature durch Granateinschlag (Severe chronic convulsions of the body muscles caused by shellfire) / Klonischer Schuttel-Tremor der rechten Korperhalfe (Chronic shaking tremor of the right side of the body) / Allgemeiner Schuttel-Tremor nach Verschuttung (General shaking tremor following accidental burying) / Schuttel-Tremor (Shaking-tremor / palsy) / Schwere allgemeine Schuttelkrampfe mit Abasie-Astasie (Motory convulsions with abasia-astasia) / Motorische Krampfzustande mit Abasie-Astasie (Motory convulsions with abasia-astasia) / Montraktur der linken Wadenmuskulatur mit Spitzfusstellung (Contracture of the left calf muscles with [(tali)pes equinus] / Clownartige Bewegungsstorungen durch Schreckeinwirkung (Clown-like motory disturbances caused by fright (terror).

1 videocassette (VHS) (12 min.) : sound, black and white, PAL.

Abnormal movements and paralyses of combattants.

The last in a three-part series in which historian Joanna Bourke looks at how public attitudes to fear have changed over history. This episode focuses on the effects of WWI and the subsequent epidemic of shell shock. [More detailed synopsis available from MFAC].

History of fear. Pt. 3, Pack up your troubles.

Shattered Anzacs : living with the scars of war / Marina Larsson.

This is a wartime documentary film showing the neuro-psychiatric treatment and rehabilitation of neurotic civilians and soldiers by the Emergency Medical Services in an (unnamed) home counties hospital. Starting with the intertitle 'Report from Britain No. 1', there are scrolling intertitles which explain the need for specialist hospitals. Apparently there are seven hospitals dealing with neuroses. The hospital in this film is a large converted public school and has separate units for men/women, civilians/servicemen and women. Statistics for 'neurotic' cases are provided for the years 1940, 1941 and 1942. Cases are analysed carefully with the express purpose of rehabilitation back to ordinary life or service. The admissions unit is shown. A nurse circulates an information booklet about the hospital routine and canteen arrangements. Some of the scenes involving the patients are clearly recreated for the purposes of the film (and make for very uncomfortable viewing); the medical personnel are reading from scripts, although it is not known to what degree the patients themselves are actually acting. Physical checks are made and the data is used in studying the relationship between physique and habitus. Next 'matrix tests' (both non-verbal and verbal reasoning) are demonstrated and John C. Raven (?) talks to the camera about their use in determining intelligence. A number of psychological interviews are shown in session; a woman is interviewed by a smoking female psychiatrist. Next the film moves on to explain psychometric testing. The film indicates a highly determinalist view of intelligence; a poorly performing airman is given the benefit of doubt and retested, whereas another man who scored highly in testing despite his upbringing is considered to be a dullard who probably cheated in the test. Rorschach (blotting paper) tests are performed. A new 'projection' test has been developed; talking and drawing which reveals 'fantasy' material for the psychologist. Next, a test devised to evaluate the patient's suggestibility is shown (the patient leans forward after being told repeatedly that he is falling forwards). Other manual dexterity tests are shown. For some patients, physical interventions are made; firstly constant narcosis (sleep treatment); insulin treatment and then electro-convulsion therapy (on a civillian woman). Narco-analysis is used on severely neurotic patients; one patient with a severe stammer is shown, followed by a man with a hysterical tremour of his foot and leg. Group talks are given by the doctor once a week on medical subjects. The film emphasises that the treatment is a group effort and the nurses and doctors have case meetings about their patients. Also, patients are given 'remedial' training; physical training. Occupational therapy is also offered; there is a workshop where furniture and toys are made. The patients work in the garden. Basketmaking is also in evidence. Women are shown sculpting, making and decoratung pottery. There is a sign making shop. Some patients are given training at a local college with the view that this will prepare them for civillian or military life.Morale is clearly important. There are also lectures and time for the patients to wind down - some are shown playing cards. The work of the social workers is explained. Finally, the work of 'disposal' is outlined. A number of cases are run through; they are evaluated and their date decided. Evidence provided by the film suggests that many people return to normal life.

1 videocassette (Digibeta) (62 min.) : sound, black and white, PAL. 1 DVD (62 min.) : sound, black and white, PAL.

Neuro Psychiatry.

Adamson Collection

1 painting : watercolour ; sheet 51.8 x 31.7 cm

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War Neuroses : Netley Hospital,1917.

Achilles in Vietnam : combat trauma and the undoing of character / Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D.

The ghost road / Pat Barker.

Shell shock / Wendy Holden.

Odysseus in America : combat trauma and the trials of homecoming / Jonathan Shay ; foreword by Max Cleland and John McCain.

Abnormal movements and paralyses of combattants.

History of fear. Pt. 3, Pack up your troubles.

Shattered Anzacs : living with the scars of war / Marina Larsson.

Neuro Psychiatry.

A shell-shocked man in a uniform of the British Army seated on a rock, with a sunset behind, about to kill himself. Watercolour by M. Bishop, 1973.

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War Neuroses : Netley Hospital,1917.

Achilles in Vietnam : combat trauma and the undoing of character / Jonathan Shay, M.D., Ph.D.

The ghost road / Pat Barker.

Shell shock / Wendy Holden.

Odysseus in America : combat trauma and the trials of homecoming / Jonathan Shay ; foreword by Max Cleland and John McCain.

Abnormal movements and paralyses of combattants.

History of fear. Pt. 3, Pack up your troubles.

Shattered Anzacs : living with the scars of war / Marina Larsson.

Neuro Psychiatry.

A shell-shocked man in a uniform of the British Army seated on a rock, with a sunset behind, about to kill himself. Watercolour by M. Bishop, 1973.

Stay in the know

Wellcome collectionWellcome Collection

Finding us:

Opening times:

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