Jon Stock’s ‘The Sleep Room’ reveals the harrowing experiences of young women subjected to controversial deep sleep therapy and electro-convulsive treatments under Dr William Sargant at the Royal Waterloo Hospital, exposing a troubling chapter of unethical psychiatric care in 1960s and 1970s Britain.
In an exploration of a dark chapter in British medical history, Jon Stock’s “The Sleep Room: A Very British Medical Scandal” delves into the harrowing accounts of young women subjected to distressing treatments at the Royal Waterloo Hospital during the 1960s and 1970s. Described through the chilling experiences of several former patients, the book paints a vivid picture of a facility that once housed these individuals under the control of Dr William Sargant.
The Royal Waterloo Hospital, an annexe to St Thomas’ Hospital located opposite Waterloo Station, became notorious for its practices. Within its walls, a cohort of girls and young women, referred to as the ‘Sleeping Beauties’, endured prolonged periods of drug-induced slumber. The hospital dormitory was characterised by its airless atmosphere and a pervasive musty smell, where patients would be kept in a semi-darkened state for up to 20 hours each day. Every six hours, nurses would rouse them to use the lavatory, yet the medical procedures conducted without informed consent raised severe ethical questions.
Dr Sargant, who spearheaded this controversial ‘deep sleep therapy’, believed in treating mental health as a physical ailment. He eschewed traditional psychotherapy, labelling it as ineffective. Instead, Sargant promoted the use of continuous narcosis combined with electro-convulsive therapy (ECT), asserting that this approach could fundamentally ‘re-programme troubled minds’. However, the legacy of these treatments has been troubling, often leading to more harm than healing.
Among the patients, actress Celia Imrie recounts her experiences after being admitted at the tender age of 14 due to anorexia. She was administered high doses of Largactil, an antipsychotic medication, which left her with debilitating side effects, including double vision and tremors. Imrie spoke candidly about her ordeal, stating, “I think I had what was called ‘sub-coma shock treatment’… but it was enough to make you drowsy, weak, sweaty and hungry.” Her narrative highlights the disempowerment she felt while under Sargant’s control.
Linda Keith, a former Vogue model, entered Ward Five at 23 and underwent a staggering 50 sessions of ECT. Keith described the aftermath of her treatment, saying, “I’d been rendered completely helpless.” She lost basic cognitive functions, including the ability to read, and expressed her frustration at her condition upon seeing Sargant years later.
Stock’s book also touches upon the wider implications of Sargant’s methods, suggesting possible links between his work and secretive government research initiatives, including experiments conducted at Porton Down. Although he does not definitively clarify these connections, he raises questions about the ethical underpinnings of psychological experiments during that era.
This illuminating yet chilling investigation into Sargant’s treatment is underscored by the collective voices of survivors, who contribute to a narrative that compels reflection on the extremes of psychiatric care in a not-so-distant past. Their memories linger hauntingly, serving as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by those seeking treatment and the potential for abuse in the name of medical innovation.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.ft.com/content/20285b13-5b25-4bb9-9552-4a30026fea31 – This Financial Times article reviews Jon Stock’s book ‘The Sleep Room,’ detailing Dr. William Sargant’s controversial treatments at the Royal Waterloo Hospital during the 1960s and 1970s, including the use of deep sleep therapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sargant – The Wikipedia page on William Sargant provides comprehensive information about his career, including his promotion of deep sleep therapy and ECT at St Thomas’ Hospital and the Royal Waterloo Hospital, as well as his belief in treating mental health as a physical ailment.
- https://drwilliamsargant.wordpress.com/2013/09/22/william-sargant-at-st-thomas-and-the-royal-waterloo/ – This blog post discusses the practices at the Royal Waterloo Hospital under Dr. Sargant, including the use of deep sleep therapy and ECT, and the lack of informed consent from patients.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_sleep_therapy – The Wikipedia article on deep sleep therapy explains the controversial practice of keeping patients unconscious for extended periods using drugs, a method employed by Dr. Sargant at the Royal Waterloo Hospital.
- https://www.ft.com/content/20285b13-5b25-4bb9-9552-4a30026fea31 – This Financial Times article reviews Jon Stock’s book ‘The Sleep Room,’ detailing Dr. William Sargant’s controversial treatments at the Royal Waterloo Hospital during the 1960s and 1970s, including the use of deep sleep therapy and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Sargant – The Wikipedia page on William Sargant provides comprehensive information about his career, including his promotion of deep sleep therapy and ECT at St Thomas’ Hospital and the Royal Waterloo Hospital, as well as his belief in treating mental health as a physical ailment.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/books/article-14672561/The-Sleep-Room-Jon-Stock-celia-imrie-book-review-mental-health.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The book ‘The Sleep Room’ explores a historical medical scandal from the 1960s and 1970s, which, while not fresh news, remains relevant due to its exposure of past practices. The context is well-documented and not recently recycled.
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
Celia Imrie’s quote appears to be original in this context, as there is no earlier online reference to her specific description of ‘sub-coma shock treatment’. Linda Keith’s statement also seems firsthand.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from a book review in the Daily Mail, a well-known, though sometimes sensationalised, news outlet. The book itself is based on historical accounts and survivor testimonies, lending credibility to its claims.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding Dr. William Sargant and the Royal Waterloo Hospital are plausible given the historical context of psychiatric treatments during that era. The references to secretive government research and Porton Down add speculative elements but do not render the main narrative implausible.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative presents a well-documented historical scandal with corroborating firsthand accounts. While the source might be considered slightly sensational, the core claims about Dr. Sargant’s practices are supported by historical records.
