In the 1740s, the introduction of medical electricity in Europe sparked a panic among some segments of the population, who feared that electrical treatments were a form of witchcraft or a threat to the natural order. The panic, fueled by religious opposition to scientific innovation, reflected the broader cultural tensions of the Enlightenment era. Despite the resistance, medical electricity eventually became a legitimate therapeutic tool.

The medical electricity panic has been cited in literary and historical works that explore the conflict between science and superstition in the 18th century. The event has inspired poets and writers to reflect on the human capacity for fear in the face of new technologies and the role of the Enlightenment in challenging traditional beliefs. It also serves as a precursor to later panics about scientific and technological innovations, a theme that continues to resonate in contemporary literature.