Phineas Gage is often referred to as the “man who began neuroscience.
Gage miraculously survived the accident.
He was using an iron tamping rod to pack explosive powder into a hole.
Author unknown / Wikimedia Commons
Unfortunately, the powder detonated, sending the 43-inch-long, 1.25-inch-diameter rod hurling upward.
He was stillconsciouslater that evening and able to recount the names of his co-workers.
Descriptions of Gage’s injury and mental changes were made by Dr. John Martyn Harlow.
Much of what researchers know about the case is based on Harlow’s observations.
Within a month, Gage was well enough to leave the house.
In the months that followed, Gage returned to his parent’s home in New Hampshire to recuperate.
They include:
How Did Phineas Gage’s Personality Change?
Popular reports of Gage often depict him as a hardworking, pleasant man before the accident.
Harlow presented the first account of the changes in Gage’s behavior following the accident.
Another study conducted in 2004 used three-dimensional, computer-aided reconstruction to analyze the extent of Gage’s injury.
It found that the effects were limited to the left frontal lobe.
Why Is Phineas Gage Important to Psychology?
Gage’s case had a tremendous influence on early neurology.
In those years, neurology was in its infancy.
What Happened to Phineas Gage After the Brain Damage?
After the accident, Gage was unable to continue his previous job.
He eventually moved to San Francisco to live with his mother as his health deteriorated.
They are still exhibited in its museum today.
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