Case Papers: Private William Commons

Case Papers: Private William Commons

This week’s blog post takes the form of transcribed case papers from a soldier treated at Moss Side Military Hospital in 1915: Private William Commons. 

Case Papers: Private William Commons

This week’s blog post takes the form of transcribed case papers from a soldier treated at Moss Side Military Hospital in 1915: Private William Commons.

 

Transcribed by Alana Barton

Edited by Amy Walling, Manchester Metropolitan University

 

 

                                                                                                                Army Form I. 1237

Medical Case Sheet

 

 

No. in

Admission and Discharge Book.

134

Year

1915

 

 

Station and Date.

 

Moss Side

Admitted

15.2.15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.3.15

 

 

31.3.15

 

Regimental No.                 Rank.                 Surname.               Christian Name.

3837                                  Private                 Commons                   William

 

 

Unit.                                Age.                      Service.

 

R.A.M.C.                    XXX 4th Cav. F.A.                        28                         11 years

 

 

 

Disease……………………

 

Statement by Major Hammerton that Private Commons absented himself on the evening of Jan 21st.  Amongst his kit was found a note with the following words “When you find my body I may be in the river. I cannot bear it any longer. I have made my will.” Patient gave himself up to the military police at St Omer on Jan 25th. He then stated that he had been wandering about the streets and sleeping in fields. Patient was profoundly melancholic, silent & morose, and when questioned answered reluctantly. No delusions were defined. Complained of a headache & sleeplessness. Patient was admitted to Netley on Feb 3rd, when he was quite rational but had no knowledge of the events of his illness.

Patient states that he went to France on Aug 16th & has been moving about continually with the Cavalry to which he was attached. Was quite well until he heard of his father’s death some weeks ago. This worried him considerably & he became depressed, suffered from pains in the back of his head & was unable to sleep. Denies all knowledge of his attack & remembers nothing of intended suicide. He pays active attention, conative attitude normal. Efficiency & continuity of attention quite good. Recognises objects & their use. Habits normal. No automatism. Coenaethesis shows slight depression. Organic sensation normal. Cutaneous & special senses show no defects or perversions. Instincts normal. Patient appears to have no thoughts of suicide at present. General emotional tone one of slight depression. Excessive emotional change. Patient becomes markedly lachrymose while talking of his illness. Orientation in time & space normal. Ideation comparison & conception normal. Language & writing show no defects. Relation of external world & self normal. Volition, self control & judgment normal. Memory for names, recent & remote events good. Memory shows one definite lacuna from Jan 22nd to Jan 27th. Feeling attitude partly affective partly conative.                                               XXX unknown signature

 

Patient appears to be less depressed & takes more interest in what goes on around him. Appetite satisfactory & sleeps well.

 

Discharged on furlough

XXX signature unknown

 

 

 

Transcribed by Alana Barton

Edited by Amy Walling, Manchester Metropolitan University

Posted on 28 September 2018 under Moss Side Military Hospital

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