Deaths Associated with Electroplexy

A recent court case (16) exposed many of the problems that confront the psychiatrist called upon to perform electroplexy.

In particular it revealed that in 1957, nearly 20 years after E.C.T. had first been used for the treatment of mental disorder, no uniform technique had yet been evolved. The medical witnesses were unable to agree on the use of muscle relaxants or mechanical restraint, but were agreed that there were certain risks attendant upon the use of electroplexy, especially the risk of fractures and the risk to life. It was argued that had the plaintiff received a relaxant drug he might not have sustained bilateral acetabular fractures, but might have suffered an even worse disaster, namely death.

Pulmonary nodular granulomatosis caused by inhaled vegetable particles

Two cases are described of nodular granulomatosis of the lungs due to starch cells derived from peas, beans, or lentils. One was an idiot of 2 years and 4 months and the other an adult who was known to have inhaled vomit during electroconvulsive treatment.