There are quite a number of vital depressions which modern thymoleptic drugs are unable to cure and therefore require E.C.T. This treatment has many disadvantages and side-effects, which are only partly prevented by applying the brief-stimulus technique, anaesthesia and curare. Because the former two of these modifications diminish the chance of evoking complete seizures — thus influencing the results of the treatment unfavourably — the Sanatorium administers alternating current with curare but without anaesthesia. This method and the uni-lateral treatment, also in use, are being described. As the E.C.T. remains a serious operation nevertheless, the Sanatorium has introduced sleep-deprivation as an addition to the treatment arsenal, dealing with serious vital depressions. The simplicity of application, the minor complications and the results amply justify the execution of this also scientifically interenting therapy.