title: Publications on Peripheral Nerve Injuries during World War I: A Dramatic Increase in Knowledge.
abstract: Publications from French (Jules Tinel and Chiriachitza Athanassio-Bénisty), English (James Purves-Stewart, Arthur Henry Evans and Hartley Sidney Carter), German (Otfrid Foerster and Hermann Oppenheim) and American (Charles Harrison Frazier and Byron Stookey) physicians from both sides of the front during World War I (WWI) contributed to a dramatic increase in knowledge about peripheral nerve injuries. Silas Weir Mitchell's original experience with respect to these injuries, and particularly causalgia, during the American Civil War was further expanded in Europe during WWI. Following the translation of one of his books, he was referred to mainly by French physicians. During WWI, several French books were in turn translated into English, which influenced American physicians, as was observed in the case of Byron Stookey. The establishment of neurological centres played an important role in the concentration of experience and knowledge. Several eponyms originated during this period (including the Hoffmann-Tinel sign and the Froment sign). Electrodiagnostic tools were increasingly used.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Atrium Medical Centre, Heerlen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Koehler
mesh_terms: D015706:Bibliometrics; D004850:Eponyms; D005060:Europe; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history*; D008889:Military Personnel / Q000266:history; D009462:Neurology / Q000266:history*; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000266:history* / Q000601:surgery; D014481:United States; D047828:World War I