A case of traumatic neurosis, illustrating successful psychotherapy / by Tom A. Williams.

  • Williams, Tom A. (Tom Alfred), 1870-
Date:
1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A case of traumatic neurosis, illustrating successful psychotherapy / by Tom A. Williams. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    [Reprinted froD| the Intenjail^al Journy jttf Surgery, July, 1909.] A CASE OF TBAUMATIO NEUEOSIS, ILLUSTEATING SFOOBSSFUL PSYOHOTHEEAPY. By Tom A. Cf.M. Edin., Washing- ton, D. C. The pessimism, due to the want of success which has hitherto characterized medical efforts against the hystero-neurasthenic syndrome induced by in- dustrial accidents, and especially those on railways, bids fair to be replaced by a very different attitude, thanks to the illumination of the whole subject of hysteria which we OAve to the insight and energy of Babinski^, Avho has effectually shown the purely fantastical nature of the hysteria described in the text-books after the traditions of Charcot. It is unfortunate that some clinicians, and more especially 'some neurologists, have not taken the trouble to study the mass of evidence about hysteria which has been accumulated since Charcot’s day, and continue to write in some such strain as the fol- lowing:—Thus Church and Petersen (1908 edition) quote only the older article of Dutil, saying a cer- tain number of elementary phenomena, sensations, and images are not preserved and appear to be re- pressed in the realm of consciousness.” ‘Tn addi- tion, there are a number of organic phenomena—dis- turbances of nutrition, trophic and vasomotor dis- orders of a neurotic charter.” ‘The stigmata tend to persist as long as the affection lasts.” “In the great majority of hysterias the visual field is found concentrically contracted.” “The red visual field exceeds the blue.” “Both anesthesia and hyperes- thesia are usually present in a given case.” “Pul- monary congestion, hemoptysis, etc., are not very rare.” “The trophic accidents of hysteria are of recent recognition” (an extraordinary statement).