• ummthatguy@lemmy.world
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      4 months ago

      The inner workings of the mind are a mystery we’ve hardly scratched the surface of understanding. His basic functions remained, but his demeanor and personality dramatically shifted. Let alone his survival. His case let us know that we don’t know shit, relatively speaking.

      • The_wild_card
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        4 months ago

        But why didn’t he blead to death or something . I thought the hospitals were a joke back then

        • explodicle@local106.com
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          4 months ago

          Basically everything (but the fact that a bar went through his head) was in his favor. He was young and healthy. His brilliant surgeon had actually watched a similar failed surgery once before, and so allowed drainage into Gage’s sinuses once the bar was removed. This controlled blood flow while allowing pus to drain out later.

          If you ever see anything like this, don’t pull it out - let the doctor do it!

        • ummthatguy@lemmy.world
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          4 months ago

          Beats me, as the odds should have readily been against him. It’s a notable case for a reason.

          • The_wild_card
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            4 months ago

            Yeah it is a mystery i wonder how much of the facts we have about it is correct

        • flambonkscious@sh.itjust.works
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          4 months ago

          Obviously, it’s because he keep kept standing, so the head was elevated above the heart, limiting the blood flow considerably.

          That concludes my shitty fiction for the day…