2008 brings the 70th anniversary of the first electroconvulsive treatment, which was applied in a Psychiatric Clinic of Rome and introduced a new physical therapy to the clinical practice. The electroconvulsive therapy (ECT)--remains as the only method from the earlier therapies practised in the era preceding modem pharmacotherapy. It survived to the present times despite some difficulties. The ECT is a safe and extremely effective method for the treatment of severe affective disorders and psychoses. The paper presents the development of ECT and others convulsive techniques in a historical context.