From the Slaughterhouse to the Madhouse
Abstract
Ugo Cerletti (1877–1963), a professor of psychiatry at the University of Rome, “discovered” electric shock treatment and introduced its use into psychiatry. The following excerpt * is from Cerletti’s own account of the history of the development of electroshock therapy. It should suffice to note here that Cerletti does not mention having obtained permission from anyone for administering this experimental “treatment” to his “patient”; moreover, when the “patient” explicitly objected to the “treatment,” Cerletti immediately administered another shock to him. †
Fields of Study & Subjects
Historical Psychiatry and Medical Practices
Electroconvulsive Therapy Studies
Neurology and Historical Studies
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 153–156
- Publication date
- 11 March 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter