Re treatment of deafmutism by other means than pseudo operations and anesthesia, see remarks under [Case 556] concerning Colin Russel’s opinion that anesthesia does not get at the true genesis of cases. Re the teaching of lip reading to Shell-shock deafmutes, see discussion under [Case 580].
Brachial monoplegia. Cure by electrical suggestion (physician bored-looking, brief, and authoritative).
Case 563. (Adrian and Yealland, June, 1917.)
Adrian and Yealland had occasion to treat an officer with a persistent functional paralysis of the arm, which had successfully withstood hypnotism, psychoanalysis, rest, massage, anesthesia with ether, and painful electrical treatment.
This patient knew something of the functions of the brain and was prepared to discuss his condition exhaustively. He was told, however, that he had come to be cured and that the nature of his cure would be explained to him afterwards. Without further discussion, the motor areas of the cortex were mapped out rapidly. The measurements were repeated aloud to impress and mystify the patient. He was assured that as soon as the shoulder area of the cortex was stimulated faradically, he would be able to raise his shoulder, and that then the rest of his arm would recover. An exceedingly mild faradic current was then applied to the scalp for a few moments and he was then ordered to move his shoulder. He did so at once. In a few minutes, all of the paralysis had vanished and the patient could raise 30 pounds. Adrian and Yealland believe that the success here was largely due to the fact that the patient was not allowed to discuss the case or criticize the treatment beforehand.
It is essential that the patient should be convinced that the physicians understand the case and can cure him. No physical sign should be examined as if it were interesting or obscure. An attitude of “mild boredom bred of perfect familiarity with the patient’s disorder” is cultivated. If the case is exhibited it should be exhibited “as a perfect example” of the type of case that is cured in five minutes by appropriate treatment. “Rapidity and an authoritative manner are the chief factors in the reëducative process.”
Re psychoelectric treatment, see Yealland’s book, published while this compilation was going to press, Hysterical Disorders of Warfare, 1918.
Brachial monoplegia following use of sling after bruise or wound. Technique of electrical suggestion and rapid reëducation.