BARBED WIRE DISEASE.

Taihape Daily Times, 19 May 1919, Page 6

BARBED WIRE DISEASE.

A peculiar psychosis of war prisoners which is international in type, as shewn by its identity in all Taces represented in the prison camps, [s described in the "Medical Record." In these was prisoners the barbed wire fences act as a red flag to a bull. Prissoners themselves have coined the name given to the ailment. There i s a perjod of latency before the barbed wire disease develops; The first phase is one of stimulation. Men argue, become quarrelsome and envious There is a rage for games. Gradually, the piscture changes to one of depression. One is no longer able to concentrate. Even music becomes undesirable. Sleep is disturbed by dreams, and there is an abnormal sensitiveness to sounds. The barbed wire fiets throughout as the badge and symbol of servtitude. The part played by the wire appears to be shewn by the fact that prisoners -who work in small squads in the open "Under guard do not develop the disease.