PHINEAS GAGE
Hand-carved and printed linocut on archival quality paper
12” X 18”
On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage suffered a catastrophic workplace accident in which a 1-1/4” diameter tamping iron was propelled completely through his head. At the time of the incident, Gage was leading a blasting crew in the construction of the Rutland & Burlington Railroad just south of Cavendish, Vermont. While packing an explosive charge, a spark from the tamping iron ignited the powder, firing the tool underneath his left cheekbone, through his brain, and out of the top of his skull.
Gage somehow survived the injury, and remained conscious and upright on the ride back to town where he was placed in the care of Dr. J.M. Harlow, thus beginning a long journey of treatment and recovery. Gage’s convalescence and eventual return to function were painstakingly chronicled by Dr. Harlow. The resulting record would form the basis for what is now one of the most well-known cases in medical history.
Despite losing a substantial amount of his brain as well as the use of his left eye, Gage would eventually make a full physical recovery. Though changes in aspects of his personality were noted, they were mostly temporary, and lessened in severity over the years. Gage traveled New England for a time, accompanied by the tamping iron, and performed as a sort of “living museum exhibit.” He eventually found work as a coach driver in Chile, where he lived until failing health necessitated his move back to the United States.
After a series of epileptic seizures, Phineas Gage died on May 21, 1860, at the age of 36. His skull, as well as the infamous tamping iron which traveled through it, are now on display in Harvard Medical School’s Countway Library of Medicine in Boston, MA.
Hand-carved and printed linocut on archival quality paper
12” X 18”
On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage suffered a catastrophic workplace accident in which a 1-1/4” diameter tamping iron was propelled completely through his head. At the time of the incident, Gage was leading a blasting crew in the construction of the Rutland & Burlington Railroad just south of Cavendish, Vermont. While packing an explosive charge, a spark from the tamping iron ignited the powder, firing the tool underneath his left cheekbone, through his brain, and out of the top of his skull.
Gage somehow survived the injury, and remained conscious and upright on the ride back to town where he was placed in the care of Dr. J.M. Harlow, thus beginning a long journey of treatment and recovery. Gage’s convalescence and eventual return to function were painstakingly chronicled by Dr. Harlow. The resulting record would form the basis for what is now one of the most well-known cases in medical history.
Despite losing a substantial amount of his brain as well as the use of his left eye, Gage would eventually make a full physical recovery. Though changes in aspects of his personality were noted, they were mostly temporary, and lessened in severity over the years. Gage traveled New England for a time, accompanied by the tamping iron, and performed as a sort of “living museum exhibit.” He eventually found work as a coach driver in Chile, where he lived until failing health necessitated his move back to the United States.
After a series of epileptic seizures, Phineas Gage died on May 21, 1860, at the age of 36. His skull, as well as the infamous tamping iron which traveled through it, are now on display in Harvard Medical School’s Countway Library of Medicine in Boston, MA.
Hand-carved and printed linocut on archival quality paper
12” X 18”
On September 13, 1848, Phineas Gage suffered a catastrophic workplace accident in which a 1-1/4” diameter tamping iron was propelled completely through his head. At the time of the incident, Gage was leading a blasting crew in the construction of the Rutland & Burlington Railroad just south of Cavendish, Vermont. While packing an explosive charge, a spark from the tamping iron ignited the powder, firing the tool underneath his left cheekbone, through his brain, and out of the top of his skull.
Gage somehow survived the injury, and remained conscious and upright on the ride back to town where he was placed in the care of Dr. J.M. Harlow, thus beginning a long journey of treatment and recovery. Gage’s convalescence and eventual return to function were painstakingly chronicled by Dr. Harlow. The resulting record would form the basis for what is now one of the most well-known cases in medical history.
Despite losing a substantial amount of his brain as well as the use of his left eye, Gage would eventually make a full physical recovery. Though changes in aspects of his personality were noted, they were mostly temporary, and lessened in severity over the years. Gage traveled New England for a time, accompanied by the tamping iron, and performed as a sort of “living museum exhibit.” He eventually found work as a coach driver in Chile, where he lived until failing health necessitated his move back to the United States.
After a series of epileptic seizures, Phineas Gage died on May 21, 1860, at the age of 36. His skull, as well as the infamous tamping iron which traveled through it, are now on display in Harvard Medical School’s Countway Library of Medicine in Boston, MA.