LAUSR

On September 13, 1848, a huge explosion occurred on the railway line where Gage worked. In this explosion, an iron bar with a pointed tip that is 3 cm thick, 109 cm long, and 6 kg weight entered under his left zygomatic arch and smashed his left frontal lobe. He crossed the bregma point and got out of the skull and fell 30m ahead. Gage’s survival as a result of this great injury in his brain and his personality change after brain injury made him known as the “man who began neuroscience” [1, 2]. Doctor Edward Williams, who first examined Gage after the accident, thought he might die due to a big injury to his skull but was quite surprised when he saw a person who was seriously injured but could speak. Then, the treatment of Gage was made by the doctors of Harvard University under the leadership of John Martyn Harlow (1819–1907) [1]. About 12 weeks after the accident, it was thought that he has recovered enough to return to his home in Lebanon and even he returned to his former position at the railway company. Although he was allegedly physically recovered, Gage was unable to continue his job. Doctor Harlow, who did his treatment, reported that Gage’s mind had changed a lot. Gage, who was a very kind and thoughtful person before the accident, after the accident, it was seen that hewas disrespectful, abusive, crusher, and a very harsh person when his requests were opposed. In addition, 2 years after the accident, he told Gage’s nephews unreal heroism and escape stories [2, 3]. In the article “Passage of an iron rod through the head” published byHarlow in 1848, Gage’s treatment and its various changes were reported [4]. What is known about the amount of damage to Gage’s brain is Harlow’s work [2, 3]. Gage died after an epileptic seizure on September 13, 1860, 12 years after the accident [4]. Gage’s head cast and iron bar in