NEURASTHENIC SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 231, 18 June 1918, Page 4

NEURASTHENIC SOLDIERS

4 CURATIVE INSTITUTION REQUIRED The necessity for the establishment of an institution where returned soldiers suffering from shell shock, neurasthenia, and kindred complaints can bo kept until cured ivas a point emphasised during the hearing of a case at the- Magistrate's Court yesterday. A man named Armitago M'Elwain, for whom Mr. J. Scott appeared, was charged with having begged alms in Manners Street on, May S. Mr. Scott said the man was a returned soldier and was discharged from the Army as a result of wounds to tho head. While in tho Army ho bore a good character. Counsel suggested tha't the man was not really responsible for the offence, which was tile result of mental aberration. Accused was not in need of money at tho time. Dr. Pollen tendered evidence and gave it as his opinion that the man should Ijo cared for. His injuries wero such that ho should receive hospital treatment as he must have been unstable at tho time of the 'offence. He was neurathenic to some extent. His Worship: Obviously someone should have chargc of him. Dr. Pollen: This is a hospital case. Inspector Marsack: Thero is no halfway house for this class of case. Dr. Pollen: We want a half-way housa badly. . i

Inspector Marsack: A man carrying oil like this is a nuisance to the public. Unfortunately, there is no place where you can send poor sholl-shock soldiers to. Mr. Soott (to Dr. Pollen), His Majesty's prison would bo rather a bad placo to send him to. Dr. Pollen: Ho ought to be in a hospital under the care of a doctor. Mr. Scott pointed out that the man was to undergo an operation. His Worship adjourned the- case sine die, defendant to report for medical treatment. "It is well known," remarked His Worship, "that many of these classes of cases aro cured by surgical operations."