THE EARLY HISTORY OF CONVULSIVE THERAPIES IN AUSTRALIA

The early experience of convulsive therapies in Australia was reported in the Medical Journal of Australia from 1935 to 1950. Cardiazol conv ulsive therapy, first used in Australia in 1937, appears to have been widely employed. Electroconvulsive therapy, first used here in 1941, r apidly became accepted as a mainstream treatment. Early response rates are discussed, as well as Australian adaptations of European techniqu es. Clinicians of the day considered the use of these procedures caref ully and were circumspect about their future role.