TRANSORBITAL LOBOTOMY VERSUS ELECTROCONVULSIVE THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF MENTALLY ILL TUBERCULOUS PATIENTS
SYLVIA CHENG M. D.1,
H. SINCLAIR TAIT M. D.2, , and
WALTER FREEMAN M. D., PH. D.3
1 Physician in Charge, Tuberculosis Unit, Weston State Hospital.
2 Superintendent, Weston State Hospital.
3 Consultant in Psychosurgery, Weston State Hospital.
Electroconvulsive therapy was found definitely harmful to patients suffering from active pulmonary tuberculosis. Transorbital lobotomy was found to be an effective substitute for shock therapy. The prolonged relief of mental tension, anxiety, and emotional distress was found to be very beneficial to psychotic patients who suffered also from active pulmonary tuberculosis.
