The Times history and encyclopaedia of the war. Part 87, vol. 7. Apr. 18, 1916, Shell shock and nervous injuries.

Date:
1916
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The Times history and encyclopaedia of the war. Part 87, vol. 7. Apr. 18, 1916, Shell shock and nervous injuries. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    hand, and on April 23, 1915, Mr. Cecil Harms- ‘worth, Assistant Home Secretary, introduced a Bill into the House of Commons in which it was provided that a man who in the service of his country suffered a nervous breakdown should receive treatment without being certified. The Act was to be cited as the Mental Treatment Act (1915). The movement thus inaugurated was crowned with immediate success. In May, 1915, Lord Knutsford again wrote to The Times, stating that 100 officers had passed through the home at Palace Green and that, with but few ex- ceptions, all had recovered from the effects of the shock of battle. The good work had been extended, thanks to the generosity of Mr. R. Leicester Harmsworth, M.P., who lent his house, Moray Lodge, Campden Hill, to provide a second home. The War Office, too, had broadened the basis of its work for the cases of shell shock and several neurological departments in London and the provinces had been organized. Treatment was based upon the conception of the condition which has already been afforded. In the first place it was clear that the wounded mind must be rested, and must be secured against all manner of irritations. The idea was to allow the brain to regain its controlling power. THE STAR & GARTER HOTEL, RICH- MOND, WHICH WAS DEMOLISHED. A hospital for soldiers disabled in the war is erected on the site. The sick men were first of all placed in quiet rooms, darkened if necessary and excluded from noise and distraction. In this peaceful atmosphere the brain in many cases gradually sank into a condition of complete repose and the terrifying dreams and visions which haunted these men became to a great extent obliterated. Sleep returned. A certain relationship with the world was established, very feebly at first, later in a more secure fashion. Meanwhile efforts of various kinds were
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