Neurasthenia cases (a) - The National Archives

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Medical Case Sheet Army Form I 1237

No, in Admission and Discharge Book

1543

Regimental

6087

Rank

Corporal

Surname

Birtwhistle

Christian Name

Year

Unit

Age

Service

1914

1^st Cheshires

Station & Date

[4^th Northern General Hospital]

Lincoln

9.12.14.

14 Dec.

Disease: Defective teeth & Nervous Debility (Neurasthenia)

He has only four front teeth-top side two molars, bottom side and he could not eat biscuits.

On the 7^th last month he was out scouting at 7.30 he got 1½ miles into enemies’ lines by mistake he was on a bicycle & had orders to retire- when ½ way back Germans opened fire on either side of road- this corporal was last man. They put a log in front of bicycle & threw him head over heels into a German trench & two of them took him prisoner to their quarters. At 2.30 their [position] was blown for an attack & the 2 … left him & whilst they were away, through a hole in the hedge behind his trench he scrambled to a barn & then jumping into German trench & ran up it for 100 yards until he saw the telegraph lines of British troops. He then ran across the road, jumped into a trench 2 feet deep and then there were about 50 shots fired at him, then he saw the Bedfords Regiment & reported position of enemy to them. He has been subject to Neurasthenia ever since. He was sent to 14 General Hospital for 4 days & then sent on here.

He is much better, sleeps well & eats well & no pains. He will be fit for furlough in a few days.

B. McFarland, Captain.

Medical Case Sheet Army Form I 1237

No, in Admission and Discharge Book

Regimental

9030

Rank

L. Corporal

Surname

Barnes

Christian Name

Year

Unit

Age

Service

1915

2^nd Lancs Fusiliers

Station & Date

[4^th Northern General Hospital]

Lincoln

6^th July

9^th July

Disease: Neurasthenia 143

On 5^th May at Ypres he got a severe attack of Gas Asphyxia & was three hours unconscious, his nerves were bad after that, he had a bad shock in the end of November, a Jack Johnson [type of shell] fell about 10 yards from him. It killed 4 horses, wounded 3 men & killed a civilian. In February three shells fell on the house he was in & the roof fell in on top of him but he was not much hurt. He was sent to Etaples Hospital for 11 days. He was sent then to Rouen. Arrived here 18^th June, Complaining of pain in head, his nerves are completely shattered. He has bad teeth they want attending to. Old caries [dental cavities] and decayed teeth want removing and a new plate ordered [dentures]. Rest. Light diet and bromide mixture.

B. Mc Farland Captain R.A.M.C.

4^th Northern General Hospital

Caught a feverish chill and referred to bed.

Temperature down to normal but still complains of pain in legs and given only milk diet still.

Medical Case Sheet Army Form I 1237
No, in Admission and Discharge Book 1543	Regimental 6087	Rank Corporal	Surname Birtwhistle	Christian Name A.
Year	Unit		Age	Service
1914	1^st Cheshires		32	16
Station & Date [4^th Northern General Hospital] Lincoln 9.12.14. 14 Dec.	Disease: Defective teeth & Nervous Debility (Neurasthenia) He has only four front teeth-top side two molars, bottom side and he could not eat biscuits. On the 7^th last month he was out scouting at 7.30 he got 1½ miles into enemies’ lines by mistake he was on a bicycle & had orders to retire- when ½ way back Germans opened fire on either side of road- this corporal was last man. They put a log in front of bicycle & threw him head over heels into a German trench & two of them took him prisoner to their quarters. At 2.30 their [position] was blown for an attack & the 2 … left him & whilst they were away, through a hole in the hedge behind his trench he scrambled to a barn & then jumping into German trench & ran up it for 100 yards until he saw the telegraph lines of British troops. He then ran across the road, jumped into a trench 2 feet deep and then there were about 50 shots fired at him, then he saw the Bedfords Regiment & reported position of enemy to them. He has been subject to Neurasthenia ever since. He was sent to 14 General Hospital for 4 days & then sent on here. He is much better, sleeps well & eats well & no pains. He will be fit for furlough in a few days. B. McFarland, Captain.

Medical Case Sheet Army Form I 1237
No, in Admission and Discharge Book 47	Regimental 9030	Rank L. Corporal	Surname Barnes	Christian Name J
Year	Unit		Age	Service
1915	2^nd Lancs Fusiliers		28	13
Station & Date [4^th Northern General Hospital] Lincoln 6^th July 9^th July	Disease: Neurasthenia 143 On 5^th May at Ypres he got a severe attack of Gas Asphyxia & was three hours unconscious, his nerves were bad after that, he had a bad shock in the end of November, a Jack Johnson [type of shell] fell about 10 yards from him. It killed 4 horses, wounded 3 men & killed a civilian. In February three shells fell on the house he was in & the roof fell in on top of him but he was not much hurt. He was sent to Etaples Hospital for 11 days. He was sent then to Rouen. Arrived here 18^th June, Complaining of pain in head, his nerves are completely shattered. He has bad teeth they want attending to. Old caries [dental cavities] and decayed teeth want removing and a new plate ordered [dentures]. Rest. Light diet and bromide mixture. B. Mc Farland Captain R.A.M.C. 4^th Northern General Hospital Caught a feverish chill and referred to bed. Temperature down to normal but still complains of pain in legs and given only milk diet still.