Captain Hugo Throssell's wartime injuries and illnesses

This medical history is a typed transcript of various medical reports during the war years. It was part of the evidence presented to the inquest into Hugo Throssell's death.

Transcript

[Page 1]

[Capitalised] OVERSEAS MEDICAL PAPERS:–

[Subheading] ARMY FORM I. 1237:–

[Entry for September 12, 1915:]

12.9.15 – 3rd LONDON GENERAL [capitalised] – WANDSWORTH [capitalised].

DISEASE [capitalised] : G.S.Wd [gun shot wound] left shoulder.

Wounded 29th Aug. at Gallipoli, Peninsula. Entry wound (healed)

R. [right] side neck border of trapezius Exit to R. of spine of D. [division] 1 – nearly healed. Shallow granulating wound over L. [left] deltoid.

Had diarrhoea.

Prescribed.

Will Capt. [Captain] Hastings kindly see about ear.

[Entry for September 16, 1915:]

16.9.15 – On Aug. 29 Deaf, Rt [Right] and lt. [left] "from bombs"

Recently hearing improved by swallowing. No nasal catarrh. Mouth open at night. Accometer [sic] 6 feet, Rt and Lt.

Lt M.T. [middle trapezius] slightly retracted.

A moderate mass of adenoids. Septum thickened anteriorly with deflection to left. The nasal condition is cause of deafness and requires operation. (S.Hastings)

[Entry for September 22, 1915:]

22.9.15 – An. Gas and Ether – Septum, adenoids removed.

[Entry for September 28, 1915:]

28.9.15 – Morphia gr [grain] 1/4 to-night [sic].

[Entry for September 30, 1915:]

30.9.15 – Temp. [temperature] rose to 100 night of operation – Some drowsiness with intervals of restlessness – with intense headache and stiffness at back of neck – and throbbing pain in temples. Condition persisted and increased from 23rd to 29th – vomiting began on 28th (night) green bilious fluid brought up without effort – sick seven times in course of 30 hours – Delirious at times on 27th, 28th and 29th. No retraction. Pulse regular throughout, from 90 to 104”. At his worst on evening of 29th.

[Entry for October 2, 1915:]

2.10.15 – Temp. fell rapidly morning of 30th with general remission of symptoms, pulse to 76. Has been improving steadily since. Sleep very broken – slept well last night for first time. Ung. Hydrarg. [Unguentum Hydrargyri] rubbed in to back of neck since 29th and also Lin. [Liniment] of Gaultheria.

Tendency to constipation throughout. Back of neck still stiff and painful and is easily excited.

[Entry for October 13, 1915:]

13.10.15 – Steady progress. Stiffness of neck practically gone. Still very easily excited – 20 minutes walk yesterday. The mental condition is not normal. Old friends say he is "500% more excitable than usual".

[Subheading] ARMY FORM A. 45:–

[Entry for October 14, 1915:]

14.10.15 – PROCEEDINGS MEDICAL BOARD [capitalised]: 3rd LONDON GENERAL HOSPITAL, WANDSWORTH [capitalised].

Age 30. Service 10/12. Disability (a) G.S.W. [gun shot wound] (b) Meningitis [underlined in red]. Board O/E [on examination] find: At Gallipoli on 29th August 1915 he received G.S.W. right side of neck, penetrating, it is now quite healed. A second G.S.W. over left deltoid was superficial and is now healed. Following an operation on the nose for deflected septum and adenoids he developed pyrexis and showed symptoms of meningitis. He is now convalescent but has symptoms of mental excitability.

He is not fit for light duty at home.

[Page 2]

[At the top of the page:] - 4 -

[Header, underlined] RE: THROSSELL. Hugo Vivian Hope (V.C) Capt. 10th A.L.H. [Australian Light Horse]

[Heading] OVERSEAS MEDICAL PAPERS: Contd [continued]

[Subheading] ARMY FORM A.45: Contd

[Entry for October 14, 1915, continued:]

Unlikely to be fit for light duty at home for six months.

Not fit for General Service, 6 months.

Not fit for Home service – six months.

Disability was contracted in the service under circumstances over which he had no control.

CAUSATION [capitalised]: Military service – G.S.W. and exposure to infection.

(Sgd [Signed]) S.Martin Mjr. [Major] A.J.Wethered Capt. John Peynters Capt.

Confirmed: W.S.Gibbs Col. [Colonel]

[Subheading] ARMY FORM A. 45:–

[Entry for March 1, 1916:]

1.3.16 – PROCEEDINGS MEDICAL BOARD [capitalised]: 3rd LONDON GENERAL HOSPITAL, WANDSWORTH [capitalised]:

Age 31 years. Service 6 1/2 yrs [years] C.M.F. [Citizen Military Forces] 16/12 A.I.F. [Australian Imperial Forces]

DISABILITY [capitalised]: G.S.W. Meningitis.

DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF LEAVE GRANTED FOR PRESENT DISABILITY [capitalised]: 14th October 1915.

BOARD ON EXAMINATION FIND [capitalised]: he is still somewhat nervous and suffers from continuous headaches. In view of his meningitis the Board is of the opinion that he should have extended leave.

He is not fit for light duty at home – three months.

He is not fit for General service, unfit three months.

He is not fit for service at home – unfit three months.

The disability was contracted in the service under circumstances over which he had no control.

CAUSATION [capitalised]: Military service. G.S.W. and infection.

(Sgd) I.T.Parkinson Lt.Col. [Lieutenant Colonel] H.C.Taylor Young Mjr. E.H.Ruthop Capt. Confirmed W.S.Gibbs Col.

(Sgd) Newton J.Moore Brig.Gen. [Brigadier General]

[Subheading] C.M. FORM D2:–

[Entry for April 26, 1916:]

26.4.16 – No [Number] 8 A.G.H. [Australian General Hospital] FREMANTLE [capitalised].

DISABILITY [capitalised]: G.S.W. : Meningitis.

DATE AND PLACE OF ORIGIN [capitalised]: 29th Aug. 1915. Gallipoli.

ESSENTIAL FACTS [capitalised]: G.S.W’s rt [right] side of neck and left deltoid; invalided to England; underwent operation for deflected septum and adenoids; meningitis supervened.

CAUSATION [capitalised]: G.S. - Infection.

CAUSATION [capitalised]: Active Service.

PRESENT CONDITION [capitalised]: Still suffers from headaches; dizziness; has improved on way out on boat; no disability from wounds.

IF DISABILITY A WOUND WAS IT CAUSED IN ACTION [capitalised]: Yes.

WAS OPERATION PERFORMED [capitalised]: Yes – adenoids – deflected septum.

RECOMMENDATION [capitalised]: Further treatment. (Sgd) A.J.McShane Capt) [sic]

OPINION OF MEDICAL BOARD [capitalised]:

The Board concur in toto.

PATHOLOGICAL CONDITION AT TIME OF EXAMINATION [capitalised]: G.S.Wound head and neck. Operation for deflected septum – subsequent pyrexia and meningeal symptoms. Headaches, sleeplessness, nervousness.

CAUSATION: Active service, G.S.Wound.

IS DISABILITY PERMANENT [capitalised]: No.

PROBABLE MINIMUM DURATION [capitalised]: 3 months.

INCAPACITY [capitalised]: total.

RECOMMENDATION: Further treatment.

He is not at present fit to earn his living.

He requires further treatment to restore him to health.

Board recommends further treatment – re-board in 3 months.

(Sgd) P.M.O’Meara, Mjr. S.C.Moore, Capt.

APPROVED [capitalised]: (Sgd) A.E.Randell Lt.Col.

[Subheading] C.M. FORM D.3:–

[Entry for April 26, 1916:]

26.4.16 – PROCEEDINGS OF MEDICAL BOARD – No 8 A.G.H

O/E This officer is suffering from Nervousness, sleeplessness and headaches; Subsequent to Septic Meningitis after operation for deflected septum and adenoids. No disability from wound of head and neck. Requires further treatment – Re-board in three months.

[Page 3]

[At the top of the page:] - 5 -

[Header, underlined] RE: THROSSELL. Hugo Vivian Hope: (V.C) Capt. 10th A.L.H.

[Heading] OVERSEAS MEDICAL PAPERS: Contd

[Subheading] C.M. Form D.3: Contd

[Entry for April 26, 1916, continued:]

Officer is not fit for service at home or abroad.

Disability likely to continue for three months.

Disability contracted in the service – Military duty – under circumstances over which he had no control.

CAUSATION [capitalised]: Active service, wound and sepsis.

(Sgd) P.M.O’Meara Mjr S.C.Moore Capt.

[Subheading] A.M. FORM D.2A:–

[Entry for September 15, 1916:]

15.9.16 – NO 8 A.G.HOSPITAL FREMANTLE [capitalised].

BOARD RECOMMENDS [capitalised]; Return to light duty. Fit for light duty only for about three months.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATION [capitalised]: G.S.Wound neck. Septic Meningitis subsequent to operation for deflected septum. Nervousness, sleeplessness and headaches later. General condition now good. Some tremor still present. Tongue slightly furred. Heart normal. Recommend fit for light duty for about three months.

(Sgd) F.A.Hadley Lt.Col. P.M.O’Meara Mjr S.C.Moore Capt.

APPROVED [capitalised] : (Sgd) A.E.Randall, Lt.Col.

[Subheading] A.M. FORM D.2A :–

[Entry for November 1, 1916:]

1.11.16 – NO 8 A.G.HOSPITAL, FREMANTLE.

BOARD RECOMMENDS [capitalised]: return to duty.

GENERAL RECOMMENDATION [capitalised]: G.S.Wound neck. Septic meningitis subsequent to operation for Deflected septum. Neurasthenia. General condition now good, no tremor. Sleeps well. Eats and feels well. Pulse slow and regular. Recommend return to duty. Fit for active service. (Sgd) F.A.Hadley Lt.Col. P.M.O’Meara Mjr S.C.Moore Capt.

APPROVED [capitalised]: (Sgd) A.E.Randell Lt.Col.

[Subheading] NO 8 A.G.HOSPITAL CARD [capitalised]:

[Entries for November 1, 1916:]

1.11.16 – Board held 15.9.16 – Recommend fir for light duties for about three months, this Board not definite enough to return Lieut. [Lieutenant] Throssell to duty and new board to be held.

1.11.16 – Genl. [General] condn [condition] now good, no tremor, sleeps well. Feels well. Weight normal. Slight furring of tongue.

R.D. F.A.S. (Sgd) P.M. ’Meara, Mjr S.C.Moore, Capt.

(Not admitted, reported for Board 1.11.16)

[Subheading] ARMY FORM B. 178:–

[Entry for April 24, 1917:]

24.4.17 – No 14 AUST. [Australian] GEN. [General] HOSP. [Hospital]

DISABILITY [capitalised]: G.S.W. Thigh and toe.

Some swelling of femoral glands – To Convl. [Convalescence]

[Entry for June 5, 1917:]

5.6.17 – Discharged. (Sgd) A.M.Davidson Mjr) [sic]

[Subheading] ARMY FORM I. 1237:–

[Entry for April 24, 1917:]

24.4.17 – No 14 AUST. GEN. HOSP. [capitalised]

PROVL. [Provisional] DIAGNOSIS [capitalised]: G.S.W. thigh leg and toe.

G.S.W. thigh, and toe. In and out.

[Entry for April 27, 1917:]

27.4.17 – Complains of swelling of femoral glands, which are tender. T. [temperature] 102. To stay in bed. Eusol foments to wounds, and Ichthyol foments to glands.

[Entry for April 29, 1917:]

29.4.17 – Much better, T. normal.

[Entry for May 13, 1917:]

13.5.17 – No further trouble with glands. Wound nearly healed. To return to duty. (Athel G.H. Saw (Cancelled, A.J.H.S)

[Entry for May 22, 1917:]

22.5.17 – Improving but not quite healed.

[Entry for June 2, 1917:]

2.6.17 – Healed. To go to Alex. [Alexandra] Conv. [Convalescent] Home.

(Sgd.) A.J.H.Saw) [sic]

[Subheading] ARMY FORM A. 45A:

[Entry for June 13, 1917:]

13.6.17 – NO 15 GEN. HOSPITAL. PROCEEDINGS OF MEDICAL BOARD [capitalised] :

Injury sustained at Gaza on 19th April 1917.

The Board find [sic] – that he has sustained two gunshot wounds (1) Flesh wound of left thigh. (2) Wound of big toe of left foot.

[Page 4]

[At the top of the page] - 6 -

[Header, underlined] RE: THROSSELL. Hugo Vivian Hope: (V.C) Capt. 10th A.L.H.

[Heading] OVERSEAS MEDICAL PAPERS: Contd

[Subheading] ARMY FORM A. 45A: Contd

[Entry for June 13, 1917, continued:]

Both wounds are healed and have left no impairment of function.

WAS INJURY IN FIRST PLACE VERY SEVERE IN CHARACTER [capitalised]: No

ARE EFFECTS OF INJURY PERMANENT OR LIKELY TO BE PERMANENT [capitalised]: NO [capitalised].

DISABILITIES [capitalised] are slight, not permanent.

INCAPACITATED [capitalised] for Military duty by such wound or injury for two months. (Sgd) D.O.’Sullivan Col. M.Carson Capt. J.I.P.Wilson Capt

(Sgd) I concur, W.H.Beach Col.

[Subheading] ARMY FORM B. 178:–

[Entry for January 29, 1918:]

29.1.18 – No 2 A.S.H. [Australian Stationary Hospital]

DISEASE [capitalised]: Taenia Solium

Probably a case of taenia solium which did well under treatment. One worm about 6 feet passed. To D.M.C. [Desert Mounted Corps] Rest Camp, Port Said, (Sgd) W.G.Forde Mjr) [sic]

[Entry for February 6, 1918:]

6.2.18 – Discharged.

[Subheading] ARMY FORM I. 1237:–

[Entry for January 29, 1918:]

29.1.18 – MOASCAR [capitalised]:

DISEASE [capitalised]: Taenia Solium.

Since last October he has noticed that he has been passing segments of worms frequently on going to the W.C. [water closet] at times he has pains in his bowels.

Tongue slightly furred, Bowels distended with the wind. He has the feeling that he continually wants to go to the W.C. Patient had meningitis after operation on Adenoids and gun shot wound had not healed in the neck.

Diet light – Give him Olic Ricini 1/2 oz [ounce] at night and Magnesia Sulphate dr [drip] ii [two] in the morning for two days. All his motions to be passed in water.

[Entry for January 30, 1918:]

30.1.18 – Diet light – continue oli ricini and magnesic sulphate as above.

[Entry for January 31, 1918:]

31.1.18 – Something like pieces of a segment of a worm passed in motion to-day [sic]. Stop Oli ricini and give Mixture Magnesia Sulphate night and morning. Diet light.

[Entry for February 1, 1918:]

1.2.18 – Give him Liq [Liquid] Extract Cascara Segrada dr i [one] to-night [sic]. First thing tomorrow morning dr I of Liq Extract Filicis suspended in milk and then another dr i tomorrow night of Liq. Extract Filicis and followed by Mist Magnesi Sulphates oz 1/2 an hour afterwards

Diet, fluids tomorrow and to stay in bed.

[Entry for February 2, 1918:]

2.2.18 – Apply to calf of right leg – R Arg. Aciti Boracic Lanoline aa ["of each"] oz 1/2. Ft. ["Making"] Ung. ["Ointment"]

Sig ["Write on label"]. To be applied to irritable part of the right leg night and morning. (Sgd) J.R.B) [sic]

This afternoon passed a tapeworm about six feet in length.

Last night also some pieces. Bowels well open.

[Entry for February 3, 1918:]

3.2.18 – Bowels open passed some pieces of segment. Diet light Extras.

[Entry for February 4, 1918:]

4.2.18 – Bowels open but no segments of worms passed. Continue Magnesia Sulphate Mixture.

[Entry for February 5, 1918:]

5.2.18 – Full diet Recommended for Rest Camp, Port Said.

Probably a case of Taenia Solium which did well under treatment

One worm about six feet passed. (John R.Richards, Mjr)

[Subheading] ARMY FORM I. 1237:–

[Entry for April 28, 1918:]

28.4.18 – MOASCAR [capitalised]:

DISEASE [capitalised] – ? [question mark] Taenia Solium – rectal irritation for about 1 month

Prescribed.

[Entry for April 30, 1918:]

30.4.18 – Any motions passed tomorrow as the result of special mixture and purgatives must be passed into a pan containing warm water.

[Entry for May 1, 1918:]

1.5.18 – Purgative tonight Ext [Extract] Filix Mas. dr i at 8 a.m. and do at 9 a.m. tomorrow – Purgative at 11 a.m.

A Taenia Solium (9 ft [feet] long) passed, complete with head.

[Page 5]

[At the top of the page:] - 7 -

[Header, underlined] RE: THROSSELL. Hugo Vivian Hope (V.C) Capt. 10th A.L.H.

[Heading] OVERSEAS MEDICAL PAPERS: Contd

[Subheading] ARMY FORM I. 1237: Contd

[Entry for May 2, 1918:]

2.5.18 – Recommend discharge to duty

Synopsis – Taeniasis – for a month – rectal irritation etc.

Worm passed 9 ft long complete with head.

(Sgd) W.G.Inde, Mjr.

[Subheading] ARMY FORM W. 3118: FIELD MEDICAL CARD [capitalised]:

[Entry for June 17, 1918:]

17.6.18 – 6th Mtd [Mounted] Bde [Brigade] Field Amb. [Ambulance]

F. [Field] A. [Ambulance] DIAGNOSIS [capitalised] : N.Y.D. [Not yet diagnosed] Pyrexia.

[Entry for June 18, 1918:]

18.6.18 – 66th C.O.S. [Chief of Staff]

Has had Quinn. Fairly typical history of rigors and vomiting.

Splenic tenderness.

E.T. [External temperature] 102.4 – Transfer.

[Entry for June 19, 1918:]

19.6.18 – 36th STATIONARY HOSP. [capitalised]

T. 98. Spleen plus and tender.

[Entry for June 20, 1918:]

20.6.18 – E.T. 104.2, rigor and sweating.

[Entries for June 21, 1918:]

21.6.18 – M.T. 98. Clinical malaria ? [question mark] (and vomiting [sic]

21.6.18 – Date of onset of illness 14.6.18. Rigor this morning,/ [sic] T. on admission 103.8 – Headache. Had Quin [Quinine] sulph [sulphate] gr vi [five] (16.6.18)

Mag.sulph [Magnesium sulphate] 17.6.18. To Field Amb.

[Entry for June 22, 1918:]

24th STAT. [Stationary] HOSP. 22.6.18.

Temp 97.6 – P. 60.

Quin Sulph gr x [ten] t.d.s. ["to be taken three times daily"] On diet.

[Subheading] ARMY FORM I. 1237:–

[Entry for June 23, 1918:]

23.6.18 – NO 14 GEN. HOSP. [capitalised] PROVISIONAL DIAGNOSIS [capitalised] Pyrexia N.Y.D.

DISEASE [capitalised]: Malaria ? [question mark] clinical.

Taken ill 14.6.18. Rigor, vomiting, T. 103.8 given Quin. at once. 20.6.18 T .104.2 rigor and sweating. T. dim. since and feeling well. No positive blood finding, rather thin and pale. Organs sound, slightly tender in splenic region.

To have Mist [Mixture] Quin 1/2 oz t.d. [“three times daily”] Ord. [Ordinary] diet. (C. Bickerton Blackburn)

[Entry for June 30, 1918:]

30.6.18 – Very well much better colour, eating well.

[Entry for July 4, 1918:]

4.7.18 – Making good progress –

[Entry for July 8, 1918:]

8.7.18 – I.S.Q. [In status quo]

[Entry for July 13, 1918:]

13.7.18 – No further symptoms.

To be discharged to sick leave. Has probably had malaria and had better be treated with quin. as though he has had it.

(C. Bickerton Blackburn Lt.Col)

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