NEW DISCOVERY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 169, 17 October 1941, Page 3

NEW DISCOVERY

SHELL-SHOCK SUFFERERS

TREATMENT BY NOISE

Here is one of the most interesting medical discoveries made during the war. - It concerns an entirely new treatment for "noise shock." For most sick persons, quiet is an essential part of their treatment, but there are at least some patients for whose recovery noise is necessary.

Two mental experts, working in a jnilitary hospital, have been studying the treatment el' mental disturbance due to gun lire, shell bursts, exploding bombs, sirens and divebombing planes. Treatment on orthodox lines, by rest, by physical training, games and occupational therapy did deal, but not enough. Their *patients were still over-sensi-tive to such noises as a slamming floor or a noisy automobile exhaust. They started violently at any unusual noise. In fact, hospital w a.s too quiet a place in which to restore to normal the victim of excessive boise. Gramophone Records Usedl The doctors then borrowed from the BBC their gramophone records of war noises, of anti-aircraft and machine gun lire. The sound of planes and sirens, explosions and so On. The patients* were told in simple terms what was to be done. They Were reminded that human beings can get used to any noise if they have enough of it. Those who live foy a railway know this. And so they were subjected to the very same noises which had caused thei; breakdown. Their reactions were immediate. Tliev were those of excitement —even terror, or re-living the emotional experiences which had terrified them. They trembled, they sweated —all the signs of great anxiety. The noise brought back their anxieties, but they faced them and they conquered them. These men regained their selfcontrol and their confidence.