Shell-shock, unconsciousness: Convulsions (recollection of childhood convulsions): Cure by hypnosis.
Case 543. (Hurst, March, 1917.)
A New Zealander was rendered unconscious for a few minutes following concussion from a high explosive shell. Convulsions developed, occurring at least once and often several times a day.
As to the origin of these convulsions, it appeared that the soldier had had a few convulsions after falling on his head at the age of 8. According to Hurst, recollection of these childhood convulsions probably led by a process of autosuggestion to the Shell-shock convulsions.
Captain Crabtree hypnotized the man, suggesting recovery. The fits immediately ceased and did not recur.
Recurrent hysterical mutism. Spontaneous recovery in (a) 18 months (antebellum incident). (b) Hypnotic recovery in a few minutes.
Case 544. (Eder, August, 1916.)
A soldier in a mine accident eight years before the war, lost his speech when his brother was killed, and then recovered his speech spontaneously after 18 months.
After a shell explosion in Gallipoli, he was again struck speechless and also deaf.
Six weeks later, he came to Dr. Eder and objected in writing to treatment, saying that he believed in nature’s methods. God had taken his voice away before and had restored it. Eder replied in writing “rather irreverently” that God had taken 18 months, but he could do it in a few minutes. The patient afterward consented to treatment, and speech and hearing were duly restored in the time promised, whereupon Dr. Eder told him that in point of fact his physician was merely the instrument of Providence.