Skip to main content

Electrocuted Patients in the 1950's


The mental illnesses during the 1950’s were definitely different than procedures than those of today.

They used hydrotherapy, metrazol convulsion, electroshock therapy, fever therapy, insulin, etc.

Patients during this era had electroshock therapy twice a week for both genders.

What broke my heart was how researchers described when they got the patients for their treatment they would beg, plead, cry, and resisted just going to this specific room.

They also wrote down how they saw the look of terror on their patients faces and how they felt like criminals being in these electric chairs.

These people who were in the chairs were shocked until they were unconscious.

It was noted that one assistant put a rubber heel in the patients mouths so they would not chew their tongue during this procedure.

Other assistants had to hold down those who were being electrocuted and the only thing that was comforting was seeing some of quitter or more controlled patients calming the terror-stricken ones.

What disturbed me was how there was a widely accepted procedure during the 1950s in which the brain’s frontal lobe nerves are severed by inserting tools through the eye socket.

This was supposed to control various behaviors by altering the section of the brain affecting social conduct.

During this era doing lobotomy treated mental illnesses and helped them get better.

Today specialists work with their patients regarding rewiring their brains and having them go to therapy.

They do not do electric shocks nor hydrotherapy but to work one on one with their patients without harmful testing as methods that were used in the 50’s.

One thing that I agree with was lobotomies were stopped during the mid-60’s.

Hydrotherapy was basically showering or having their patients sit in bathtubs of warm water that extended for a long period of time to calm them.

Therefore, they used this method a lot for their patients.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Blue and Red Word Search Book

This is an awesome booklet for those who love the 50’s! It has many pages to keep your brain busy by searching for words with just your eyes. I noticed that is has yellow wording and an arrow indicating to open the book. The front page has labeled the 1950’s on it and the author has made sure to put their name on it. At the top right corner of the red/yellow square you see a star shape. My sister loves to do crossword puzzles and she has a collection of them in her closet. It reminds me of seeing her use them at her doctor’s visits.
Post a Comment
Read more

Black Colored 50’s Accessories for fifters

This a unique box of items that were worn in the 1950’s! I notice there is a pair of glasses and sunglasses. Along with three pairs of polka dot earrings and a silk scarf as well. At the left corner there is a black and white printed headband and a pair of gloves too. There is a total of eight items in this accessory box. My grandmother used to have many of these style of gloves in her closet. When she would show them to me as a child, she would smile so bright and tell me stories of how she got them.
Post a Comment
Read more

1950s Common Alcohol Glasses

Many people drank lots of alcohol during the 50’s era. Mostly men though as woman would have been criticized if they drank too much. As they had to be sober and fully aware to take care of the children. One glass that is popular is the 1949 vintage whiskey glass. It is a small, but it can contain lots of alcohol. Many people like this whiskey glass because it can obtain lots of ice. Another widely talked about glass is the 1950 vintage wine cup.  This glass is popular because this caters to women who love wine. It can hold a good amount of white wine and red wine. Many people use this glass during parties and other gatherings. The scotch glasses are the most popular out of everyone of these cups mentioned. This is because lot of men used scotch glasses in the 1950’s. Especially for those who went to the local bars. Lastly, the beer pint glass is the next favorite for people who like to collect 1950’s cups or alcohol in general. This beer glass is clear and looks styli...
Post a Comment
Read more