Lili Elbe, born as Einar Wegener, became one of the first people to undergo experimental gender reassignment surgery
Category: Mental Health
Evaluating Head Shapes: The Rise and Fall of Phrenology
Despite the fact that Phrenology became rather controversial, it is important to note the cultural impact it did have in the years of its popularity throughout both Europe and America.
Insanity Washed Down the Drain: How Water was Used in Mental Hospitals
(Image of a patient in a bath being spoon-fed by an on-duty nurse. Photo credit: Lensvid) Water has played a prominent role in religion for centuries and is referenced in the bible many times. It is no wonder that people once depended on water as a healing agent. In the middle ages there were…Read more »
Madness and Mental Asylums: A Brief History
A lot of people tend to think of abuse, neglect, and filth when they consider what an asylum was back in the day. Of course, there are instances where this interpretation stands completely accurate, but, for many patients, asylums were also seen as safe havens where they were cared for and understood. This post will…Read more »
Ethical Debate Behind Growth-Attenuation Surgery
I came across an interesting story the other day that had sparked a lot of controversy in the medical ethics community and decided to take a moment and share it here with you all. Ashley X, a young girl who was born with a developmental brain condition known as static encephalopathy,(permanent and unchanging brain damage)…Read more »
“I Need That Like I Need A Hole In The Head!”
(Photo Credit: The Medical Book) Trepanning or trepanation is one of the earliest surgical procedures in history. The word trepanation is Greek for trypanon, meaning to drill or bore (Kang 142). In essence, a hole, or a series of holes, would be cut, drilled, or scraped into a patient’s skull using various instruments. Some of these…Read more »