title: Flight Lieutenant Peach's observations on Burning Feet Syndrome in Far Eastern Prisoners of War 1942-45.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  'Burning Feet Syndrome' affected up to one third of Far Eastern Prisoners of War in World War 2. Recently discovered medical records, produced by RAF Medical Officer Nowell Peach whilst in captivity, are the first to detail neurological examinations of patients with this condition.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 54 sets of case notes produced at the time were analysed using modern diagnostic criteria to determine if the syndrome can be retrospectively classed as neuropathic pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  With a history of severe malnutrition raising the possibility of a peripheral polyneuropathy, and a neuroanatomically plausible pain distribution, this analysis showed that Burning Feet Syndrome can now be described as a 'possible' neuropathic pain syndrome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  After 70 years, the data painstakingly gathered under the worst of circumstances have proved to be of interest and value in modern diagnostics of neuropathic pain.
authors.affiliation: From the Royal Navy General Duties Medical Officer, RFA ARGUS, UK.
authors.forename: N T
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Roocroft
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioengineering and Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, UK.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mayhew
authors.affiliation: University of Liverpool, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Pembroke Place, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Parkes
authors.affiliation: Consultant Allergist, 46 Devonshire Close, London W1G 7BG, UK.
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Frankland
authors.affiliation: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and University of Liverpool, United Kingdom and Consultant Physician, Aintree University Hospital, Liverpool, UK.
authors.forename: G V
authors.initials: GV
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.affiliation: INSERM U-987, Centre d'Evaluation et de Traitement de la Douleur, Hôpital Ambroise Paré, APHP, Boulogne-Billancourt, France.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bouhassira
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors.forename: A S C
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rice
mesh_terms: D005202:Asia, Eastern; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications / Q000266:history; D008499:Medical Records; D008887:Military Medicine / Q000266:history; D009437:Neuralgia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods; D063906:Prisoners of War / Q000266:history*; D013577:Syndrome