Abstract Details

Title War neuroses at the beginning of the Great War in France: the case of Eugène Bouret (1887-1914)

Topic Research Methodology, Education, and History

Presentation(s) History of Neurology Posters (7:00 AM-5:00 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 005

Background

The nerve-shattering and horrific conditions encountered in the battlefields and trenches of the Great War led to the emergence of a variety of symptoms, later labelled as “shell-shock” and/or “war neuroses”: paralysis, mutism, deafness, blindness, anxiety attacks, amnesia, camptocormia, confusion. However, their recognition and management greatly varied throughout the duration of war, ranging from medical treatment to execution for military offences. Here, we report the case of a shell-shocked soldier who was wrongfully executed at the beginning of the war.

Objective To describe the case of Eugène Bouret, an executed soldier rehabilitated in 1917, and to reflect on the evolution of the French perception of war-related psychological disorders.

Design/Methods

A literature search for French articles/archives related to Bouret and war neuroses was undertaken using several databases: PubMed, BnF Gallica Archives, JStor, Internet Archive, RetroNews (press coverage) and “Mémoire des Hommes” (military archives).

Results By the end of August 1914, Bouret was posted to an artillery battery. Located at the front lines (Vosges), his position was hit by a shell. Bouret was later found to suffer from an altered mental state, with a head wound, and diagnosed with a concussion. Having left the first aid post and being found wandering, he was suspected of desertion, captured, tried expeditiously by court martial and executed a few hours after his judgment, on September 1914. With the help of a local politician, Bouret’s family fought to open an investigation regarding his execution. In 1917, Bouret was rehabilitated by the supreme court, with national press coverage.

Conclusions

The tragic case of Eugène Bouret illustrates the evolution of the perception of war neuroses in the French public opinion between 1914 and 1917, from an unknown and suspect condition to a recognized medical issue, particularly following the 1916 trial of Baptiste Deschamps (who resisted “torpillage”, Clovis Vincent’s electricity “treatment”).

Authors/Disclosures
Manon Auffret, PhD, PharmD (Behavior & Basal Ganglia - CHU Rennes/ Universite de Rennes 1) PRESENTER	Dr. Auffret has received personal compensation for serving as an employee of France Développement Electronique. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Britannia. Dr. Auffret has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving as a Consultant for Aguettant. Dr. Auffret has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Britannia. Dr. Auffret has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Britannia. Dr. Auffret has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Aguettant. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from Association France Parkinson. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from Homeperf. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from LVL. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from University of Rennes. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from Aguettant. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from Linde. The institution of Dr. Auffret has received research support from Plateforme Nationale pour la recherche sur la fin de vie. Dr. Auffret has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Auffret has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care.