The Effects of Shell Shock: WWI Nueroses | War Archives

Seale Hayne Military Hospital in Devon takes in World War 1 soldiers suffering from shell shock and helps them recover through various methods. Traumatised soldiers symptoms included staggering, shuffling, twitching, dancing, and shaking. After treatment the men’s symptoms are alleviated.

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Film ID: 1619.03

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WW1 War Neuroses- Disturbing footage of the effects of shell shock. Filmed during World War 1, this remarkable film shows traumatised soldiers staggering, shuffling, twitching, dancing and shaking however after treatment, the men are generally transformed.

Seale Hayne in Devon was a military hospital which played an incredible role in curing shell shock victims during The Great War. At the time, most shell shock victims were treated harshly and with little sympathy as their symptoms were not understood and they were seen as a sign of weakness. So instead of receiving proper care, many victims endured more trauma with treatments such as solitary confinement or electric shock therapy.

However, one doctor called Arthur Hurst believed he could cure every shell shock victim. He took them to Seale Hayne which was deep in the Devon countryside and there he used revolutionary treatments such as hypnosis, persuasion, massage and dietary treatments to cure his patients. In fact 90% of Hurst's patients were cured in one session.

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