THE SIGNIFICANCE OF NERVOUS DISEASES FOR THE FLYING SERVICES AND FOR AERIAL OPERATIONS,
Abstract
The examination of two thousand four hundred forty-three (2,443) cases in the out-patient department of the neuropsychiatric observation ward of an air force hospital, revealed characteristic variations in the frequency of nervous disturbances among both flying and non-flying personnel. The most frequent of all nervous diseases among flying personnel is the postcommotional syndrome, which is 28.15 per cent of the total, viz. far more than one quarter whereas among non-flying personnel this syndrome is in fourth place with a frequency of 12.27 per cent. Consequently flying personnel show more than double the number of sequellae after cerebral commotio. The reverse proportion is to be found in the case of nervous disorders of a general nature. Diathetic and, therefore, practically uncorrectable psychiatric break-down among flying personnel is 13.14 per cent, which is distinctly less than the proportion of similar break-down among non-flying personnel (18.8 per cent). The results of an effective neuro-psychiatric selection are shown significantly in these figures, especially since the average air crews were undoubtedly exposed to greater physical and, in particular, nervous strain than were the others. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 10, 1946
- Accession Number
- AD0691094
Entities
People
- H. Geyer