Shock therapies in Spain (1939-1952) after the Civil War: Santa Isabel National Mental Asylum in Leganes

The first third of the twentieth century changed the therapeutical landscape with the emergence of new treatments for the mentally ill in asylums. However, the historiography of their use in Spanish psychiatric establishments has been scarcely studied. The popularization of barbiturate sleep therapies, insulin shock, cardiazol therapy, electroshock and leucotomy spread from the beginning of the century. However, the Spanish Civil War and Spain's isolation during Franco's autarky (1939-52) made their implementation difficult. Through historiographic research using medical records as documentary sources, this work analyses the socio-demographic conditions of the asylum population during the first decade of Franco's dictatorship. The treatments used in Leganes Mental Asylum are described and are compared with those used in other Spanish psychiatric institutions.

Automated summary

The therapeutic landscape for mentally ill patients in asylums changed significantly during the first third of the twentieth century with the introduction of new treatments. However, the historiography of their use in Spanish psychiatric establishments has been limited. Despite the popularity of treatments such as barbiturate sleep therapies and electroshock, difficulties arose in their implementation in Spain due to the Civil War and Franco's autarky.