Robert M Kaplan1. 1. Associate Professor and forensic psychiatrist, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To explore the history of insulin coma therapy (ICT) in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: The negative period between the wars came to an end with the discovery of the biological therapies, including ICT, a development of great interest to Australian psychiatrists. Melbourne psychiatrist Reg Ellery documented his use of ICT in 1937, but the evidence shows that he was beaten to it by Farran-Ridge and Reynolds at Mont Park. ICT was soon used at various centres, but phased out by the late fifties. A review follows of its use in Australia and a discussion of the issues involved. Doing ICT played a part in enhancing the professional status of Australian psychiatrists and was one of the factors that led to the establishment of the AAP in 1946.
OBJECTIVE: To explore the history of insulin coma therapy (ICT) in Australia. CONCLUSIONS: The negative period between the wars came to an end with the discovery of the biological therapies, including ICT, a development of great interest to Australian psychiatrists. Melbourne psychiatrist Reg Ellery documented his use of ICT in 1937, but the evidence shows that he was beaten to it by Farran-Ridge and Reynolds at Mont Park. ICT was soon used at various centres, but phased out by the late fifties. A review follows of its use in Australia and a discussion of the issues involved. Doing ICT played a part in enhancing the professional status of Australian psychiatrists and was one of the factors that led to the establishment of the AAP in 1946.
Entities:
Keywords:
Australia; history; insulin coma therapy; psychiatry