Two cases of lameness cured by persuasion: Russel.
Case 503. (Russel, August, 1917.)
A man on crutches, paralyzed completely in the right leg, partially in the left, developed paralysis in the right arm from the use of the crutch. There were marked vasomotor changes in the right leg and arm together with anesthesia to pinprick. Assured that he could move the legs perfectly he said that he had tried and failed. After a persuasive talk in private he began to use the arm, and to walk perfectly. It seems that in the trenches he had a sharp pain in the right knee, after which he did not use the leg and it gradually became more and more useless. It had been paralyzed for three months. The reason he did not use this leg was not on his own account, but on account of his mother at home. He seemed really grateful for the cure.
Case 504. (Russel, August, 1917.)
A sergeant in hospital for a year for shell-shock still had a marked shaking of the right leg whenever he raised it from the ground. He walked in leaning on a silver headed cane. The functional nature of his shaking was explained to him by Russel, whereupon he walked out normally saying he could do without his cane. Russel suggested that crutches and sticks thus given up were often donated to the shrine. The sergeant whose cane must have cost at least three pounds beat a hasty retreat carrying the cane in front of him.
Re Russel’s general point of view concerning malingerers and psychogenic cases, see under Case 458.