A CONSIDERATION OF SOME EXPERIENCES WITH ELECTRIC SHOCK TREATMENT IN MENTAL DISEASES, WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO VARIOUS PSYCHOSOMATIC PHENOMENA AND TO CERTAIN ELECTROTECHNICAL FACTORS
W. SULZBACH M. D.1,
K. J. TILLOTSON M. D.1,
V. GUILLEMIN JR. PH. D.1, , and
G. F. SUTHERLAND M. D.1
1 McLean Hospital, Waverley, Mass.
1. The properties of electrical currents, which basically determine the stimulatory efficiency are: type of current, amperage and length of time stimulus is applied. The threshold cannot be computed accurately in terms of voltage, due to variations in impedance.
2. An instrument for electric shock therapy which utilizes these principles has been briefly described.
3. The experiences during use of this instrument for convulsive therapy in 55 patients have been discussed in regard to physio-pathological, and psycho-somatic observations.
