m*- w - Clpdigital.org

T H E war is adding greatly to
the world's knowledge of
medicine and surgery and of
functional disturbances of the
human system. Rare or
hitherto unknown diseases have become
recognized, and cures tabulated. Indeed,
a physician and surgeon might set
himself up as treating only such maladies
as have become prominent since August
first, 1914, and find himself consecrated
to a wide field of practice. Unquestionably
we shall find that while many of
the arts and sciences have been standing
still perforce while the nations of the
world are fighting out to a finish their
racial mistrusts and economic differences,
the science of healing will have
taken a great stride forward.
One of the new diseases hitherto not
to be found in medical lexicons is
"shellititis". If you have been in Canada
since large numbers of soldiers, on furlough
or discharged, have returned from
the front, you will have had ample opportunity
to observe this very distressing
912
OUT OF THE
New Diseases Science
Because
By H. S.
malady. Suddenly snap shut a book
in a club or reading room, and you
are likely to see one of these returned
soldiers jump violently. His eyes will
stare or his eyelids quiver, his limbs
tremble and perspiration will break
out upon his face. Riding on a street
car you will be likely to see similar
manifestations, but in even more distressing
form. The sudden bang or
report of the switch above the motorman's
head may cause a passenger to
fall over, half-fainting and prostrated.
Service in the trenches has unmanned
the victims.
The constant popping of rifles, the
din and crash of exploding shells, the
horror engendered by being constantly
under fire for hours or days, is responsible
for this new human affliction. It
was noticed in previous wars, it is true,
but in no such numbers or in such painful
degree. In fact, it was not sufficiently
common to call for special attention
or a special name.
Death sometimes is preferable to being
constantly in fear of it; men whose
nerves have been tortured by the incessant
clamor and the constant bursting of
high explosives about them have not infrequently
become so crazed that they
have rushed eagerly forward in their
frenzy and have recklessly charged toward
the enemy's trenches through a
hail of shot, shell and projectiles. Other
men have taken the easiest and quickest
way out by shooting themselves with
their own revolvers. One of the extreme
forms of shellititis is this form of insanity.
Indeed this is one of the most
serious problems that have to be considered
by the French and British military
officials.