The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-10-23

on the psychology of modern warfare.
One learned professor is at present
making extensive researches into the
psychology of gunnery, for example,
and another is studying the psychol-
ogy of aviation. A man who operates
an aeropIane often controls the des-
tiny of many lives, as well as quite a
bit of valuable property, and shouldi
not be chosen for the job carelessly.
1t is when the men come back from
the front, wounded or mentally de-
ranged, that the duties of the military
psycfiatrist begin. He must diagnose
and prescribe for each case. This Is
often difficult, for in this war a
number of peculiar maladles nave APP
peared as startling discoveries TO SCI
ence. Among these is the ''malinger-
err who deliberately Stimulates in
sanity or epilepsy in order to escape
duty at the front. The European
psychiatrist has dealt with this type
by treating him with ice baths and
straight jackets, which usually cure
him of his insanity. But there is al
ways the chance that he is actually
what he pretendS to be, and some
times such cases must be studied for
weeks before the true nature of the
case may be determined.
A ..NIaIingcrer'' and Real Aff1iction.
But for every '.malingerer'' there
are numerous cases of evident real
organic cases, where a piece of shrap-
mel has penetrated the nerve tissue.
These are treated after the trouble
has been located by an X-ray- Then,
there are stupor cases, brought on by
shock, in which a man will lie for
days in a deep stupor, rousing only
at intervals to live over again in de-
lirium the horrors of battles One boy
lay in such stupor for ten days after
he had seen his chum blown to pieces
rfara
had been under fire for three days at
a stretch, came to a week later,
walking in a country lane. He did
not know what had happened to him
in the meantime.
OF all the cases that of the neurotic
presents the most difficulties. He is
the man who breaks under the strain,
and is hardest to cure. European
psychiatrists believe that all of
neurotic tendencies should be kept
away from the front. The fatigue
of long marches" says DR.. E. Murray
Auer, formerly of the Twentythird
General hospital, B. E. F., France,
exposure, worry over conditions at
home, the monotony of trench life,
the fear of failing in his duty in
crisis, the. morbid anticipation of a
charge. of the ground opening bs-
meath him to engulf him all
these tend to fan any homeopathic
predisposition into flame
An investigation of many of the in
sane cases showed a large number to
have been neuroticS who would better
have been eliminated at the recruiting
office.
homeopathic symptoms include inn
pulsiveress; inclination for solitude;
avoidance of strange company; reti-
cence; sense of being observed on the
street; easy excitability; inclination to
jump when on height; a fear of cor
ners and entries and of the dark; I'M
easiness on crossing a bridge; talking
in the sleep; nightmares and SOM
nambulism, and general feeling of in
capacity. Presumably several of these
must be present tos indicate a serious
condition, for almost every person can
claim one or two of them.
! Under this experience of war Eu-
rope is developing the science of psy-
| chIatry almost as rapidly as it has
surgery. Cases which We're inexpli-
now understood. All of which will
! save the United States the cost of
many mistakes. When the first Amer
| lean soldiers are returned afflicted
with insanity and nervous disorders
! there will be the proper accOmmoda-
/ tions for them, the best psychiatrists
| in the country to treat them We will
not be taken by surprise as were the
/ other belligerents.
| Questions on the above or any sub
ject upon which the reader desires in
! formation, should be addressed the To-
reau, Frederic J. Haskin, Director.
| Washington, D. c., with a 2-cent
stamp enclosed for reply.