/oss/taxonomy/term/3344/all en /oss/article/medical-history/hole-head <p>Harvard University’s Warren Anatomical Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in the history of medicine. Displays include an ether inhaler as used by dentist William Morton that allowed surgeon John Collins Warren to carry out the surgery in 1846 that introduced ether anesthesia along with the famous painting by Robert Hinckley depicting the first operation under ether. Also exhibited are historical herbals, amputation saws, early stethoscopes, and the skull of Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, a chief proponent of phrenology in the early 19<sup>th</sup> century.</p> Wed, 18 Jan 2023 17:10:40 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 9362 at /oss /oss/article/history/phineas-gage-neuroscience-and-count-dracula <p>The glass cases at the Warren Anatomical Museum in Boston are filled with a variety of fascinating items that have played a role in the history of medicine. On display is a one- meter long iron rod that doesn’t appear to have any special medicinal properties, and indeed it has none. Its fame, or one might say notoriety, rests on having passed completely through the skull of one Phineas Gage in 1848 without killing him! The dreadful injury didn’t kill him, but it did dramatically alter his personality.</p> Fri, 14 May 2021 19:32:26 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 8734 at /oss /oss/article/history/living-half-brain-phineas-gage <p>The Warren Medical Museum in Boston is a fascinating place, named after Dr. John Collins Warren who performed the first surgery under ether anesthesia in 1846. On view is the actual flask that housed the ether used during the surgery. Also on display is the famous meter long rod that  passed completely through the skull of railroad company worker Phineas Gage in 1848 without killing him. It did, however, dramatically alter his personality.  </p> Wed, 25 Jul 2018 17:42:42 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 7186 at /oss