- Rituals
Electricity
Uses:
Depression, Melancholia and other mental illnesses related to sadness
are effectively treated by electricity.
Method:
Electric machines were first developed by William Gilbert, physician to Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century (14).
However, it was not until John Wesley, of our own century, decided to purchase one to use on his congregation that this treatment became popular (15).
Note: When treating melancholia, the electricity must be connected to the head of the patient.
Some believe that running electricity through the head causes brain damage, but there has been no scientific proof to support this idea. However, as a word of caution, Benjamin Franklin is reported to have accidentially knocked himself out twice using electricity. He has since endorsed "trying the practice on mad people" (16).