A series of 206 consecutive admissions of involutional psychotic reactions in 1940-46, when electric and other shock treatments were used (except in 24 where shock was contraindicated or refused) is compared to a control series of 141 consecutive admissions in 1925-34, under similar conditions without shock therapy.The shock treated series has over twice the percentage of recoveries both on discharge from the hospital and at 5 years after admission.The average stay in the Pennsylvania Hospital of the recoveries in the shock series was 2 months; the average stay of the control series was 12 months.The comparison is marred by the fact that only slightly more than half of the shock series could be followed for all of 5 years; however, the cases which were "lost" had, at last accounting, the same percentage of recoveries as those which could be followed.Abstract Teaser