I have been trying to recall the details of this treatment which was carried out on Clematis Ward where I worked during the time I waited for the result of the State Final exams and then left the hospital in 1970.
The treatment was for patients with recurrent depression, some of whom had been hospitalised previously and had received anti-depressants and often ECT with no lasting effects. About 4 patients at a time were admitted and were given beds in the bottom dormitory of the ward in order to maintain quietness. Curtains were shut and the only light was a lamp at the table where a nurse sat.
The regime was that Largactil* was given in a series of increased doses together with a tricyclic antidepressant, plus Kemadrin** for the side-effects of Largactil. I can't remember the highest dosage of Largactil given tds, but it ensured the patients slept, only being roused for meals and personal care. They may have received another dose at night time, I can't remember. The dosage was slowly decreased until the patient was able to get out of bed and walk around, subsequently being on the main ward until discharged. ECT was not part of the therapy while I was there.
There was always a nurse in the dormitory to monitor each patient and note the amount of sleep, take regular observations and provide personal care, including regular care of pressure areas. Everything was entered onto the patient's chart during each shift.
As I had finished my training I spent most of each shift with the patients and got to know each of them quite well when they were reaching the end of the therapy and wanted to talk. At that time there was an excellent Ward Doctor who told me that this was a modified form of the continuous narcosis therapy favoured by the psychiatrist William Sargant of St Thomas's Hospital. He used extremely high doses of various drugs which kept patients asleep for almost 24 hours over a period of up to 12 weeks, plus ECT. He was also in favour of psychosurgery for some patients.
How effective Intensive Largactil Therapy was I can't say and I don't know if it was used for male patients or when it was discontinued.
*Largactil - 'Chlorpromazine is a medication used to manage and treat schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and acute psychosis. It is a member of the typical antipsychotics or neuroleptic medication category, also known as first-generation antipsychotics'
**Kemadrin - 'Procyclidine exerts its antiparkinsonian action by reducing the effects of the relative central cholinergic excess that occurs as a result of dopamine deficiency'