Some literary accounts of possible childhood paraplegia and neurorehabilitation

Abstract

Objective: To identify examples of the practice of neurorehabilitation in 19th and early 20th century novels.

Methods: Four case of apparent childhood paraplegia, which date from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, are described. The approaches to facilitate clinical recovery are summarized.

Results: Common themes identified in these four literary accounts include a passive approach to intervention, use of specialist input and provision of other treatments (e.g. baths, iron braces).

Conclusion: These literary accounts may, despite all their acknowledged shortcomings, give some insights into contemporary lay concepts of neurorehabilitation.

• Neurorehabilitation practice
• literary accounts
• 19th century
• novels