Creepy 1948 ad for electro-shock therapy

Back in the 1940s, electro-shock therapy (or "electro-tonic therapy") was promoted as a breakthrough treatment for depression. But it never managed to live up to the hype and was eventually mostly replaced by chemical treatments (popping pills). Though, from what I understand, it's still used in certain situations.

If the medical industry was promoting electro-shock therapy today, I imagine they'd show pictures of happy people running through fields and playing with grandchildren. But this 1948 ad (Time - Sep 20, 1948) offered a slightly more realistic and disturbing image.

Note the line: "Brain disclosed for illustration only." Glad they clarified that.

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Posted By: Alex - Sat Jul 11, 2015
Category: 1940s | Mental Health and Insanity

Comments

Electro-shock treatment was still being used in England in the mid 70s: my girlfriend was subjected to regular treatments while she was in 10th grade.

Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 07/11/15 at 10:56 AM

Geriatric is over 40? Oh, my. No wonder they were melancholic!

Posted by IndyAnna on 07/11/15 at 03:15 PM

Very, very creepy yes. Where is my Taser, I could hook up the wires from the unit and do the same.

Posted by Gator Guy on 07/11/15 at 08:32 PM

Come up here Gator Guy .. We need experienced LEO's in the reserves like my old butt. We just hired 15 full time young ones into our Sheriff department being trained.

Posted by BrokeDad in Midwest US on 07/11/15 at 09:52 PM

I usetacould be able to shock people by just saying things. Didn't need no wires.

Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 07/12/15 at 12:17 AM

Painless?? It was still being used in the 1990s but the patients were being put under anesthesia for treatments. The woman I knew who was sent out for treatments was still scared of them because when she was young she was awake for it. The treatments seemed to calm her when she was having extreme psychotic episodes that nothing else helped. Not defending the practice, I find it disturbing, just an anecdotal story. I also do not know if it still done as I have been out of healthcare since 2000.

Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 07/12/15 at 10:25 AM

BD, That would mean cutting my long hair, taking drug tests, and having to strap on all the stuff around my waist and hurt my back and hips again. No thanks Sir, I had a good career in it but now my lady friends enjoy playing with the long curly hair, flirting with me and making suggestive comments along with telling me of youthful adventures as flower children with a occasional faded photo over a glass or two of wine. Besides it's cold in Ohio and the ladies wear more clothing verses the minimal down here. No snow to shovel.

Posted by Gator Guy on 07/12/15 at 08:23 PM

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