Читать книгу Shell-Shock and Other Neuropsychiatric Problems - Elmer Ernest Southard - Страница 125
ОглавлениеAn officer’s letter concerning local tetanus.
Case 121. (Turrell, January, 1917.)
The following letter from an officer who had had local tetanus and was treated by Turrell by ionization Dec. 6 and 7, 1915, by diathermia Dec. 7 to 22, and occasionally by static breeze ionization and chlorine ion to relieve contractions from Dec. 29, 1915, to Feb. 4, 1916. The tetanus was in the muscles of the legs. Of course diathermia is a purely symptomatic treatment and does not replace antitoxin serum or other specific treatment; thus its effect in relieving the contractions of local tetanus is precisely like its effect in the treatment of sciatic neuritis or lumbago.
November 15, 1916.
“Dear Major Turrell,
“I have been meaning to write to you for some time, as I knew you would be interested to hear how I was getting on. Your letter has just been received, and I am only too happy to give you any information I can with regard to my leg. I was wounded in the left leg on October 13, 1915, by high explosive shell, and arrived at Oxford on October 22. There was no operation as the surgeon in charge did not consider it advisable to remove the pieces of shell: my leg seemed to be getting better, and after about a month I was able to hobble round with sticks. My foot at this time used to swell a great deal towards night, and the foot seemed then to gradually stiffen up with violent pains at intervals, this gradually spread up the whole leg to about the knee, and I was compelled to take to my bed again. The pain at times was very bad, similar to a very bad attack of cramps, and then my leg became rigid and stiff, and at other times used to get horrible jumps and it was impossible to keep it still, and whenever the doctor or nurse looked at it it used to stiffen up at once. The night seemed to be the worst, and consequently I got very little sleep. I often had to get up in the middle of the night on crutches to try and obtain relief, my leg was so cramped and sore. It was about this time that you first visited me and prescribed a course of electric treatment for my leg, and I shall never be able to thank you enough for the relief it gave me. I cannot remember the names of the different treatments, but the first one—diathermy, or heat pads—certainly relieved the pain, and after the first two or three visits to you I got immense relief. I never looked back after this, and, although the progress was slow, I gradually lost all pain and was able to get sleep at night. The nervous jumps slowly disappeared and my leg became gradually normal except for contraction of the tendons. I was unable to straighten my ankle or knee, and it was thought at one time that my tendo Achillis would have to be severed. Gradually the knee straightened and I was able to get my heel to the ground. I was for some time on crutches, and was able to leave the hospital on February 5, 1916, walking with sticks. … I am now able to walk comfortably, but am unable to flex the ankle more than at right angle to my leg. The circulation is not very good, and I feel anything tight round my calf. I am still getting Boards, and have not been passed fit for overseas yet.”
