Paraplegia: Cured by administration of Iron Cross.
Case 479. (Nonne, December, 1915.)
After heavy shelling a soldier fell for two days into a clouded state from which he waked with complete paraplegia of the lower extremities, and total anesthesia from the pelvis downward (reflexes and electric excitability normal).
On the third day after his reception in Nonne’s wards, he was about to be hypnotized when news came that he had been promoted to a lieutenantcy and had received the Iron Cross. He fell forthwith into hysterical convulsions, in the midst of which the hitherto paralyzed legs worked perfectly well! Even after the hysterical attack was over, the man could still move his legs in bed normally, but had absolute astasia-abasia. Next day, with deep hypnosis, markedly improved. After eight more days of hypnosis the new lieutenant got back his normal gait.