Lobotomy is a surgical intervention in psychiatry. In its process, the connection of the frontal lobe with other areas of the brain is destroyed. In another way, this operation is called leukotomy. This procedure quite strongly changes the personal qualities of a person. Previously, it was used to treat various psychiatric diseases, such as schizophrenia and major depression. Also, this operation could be used as a punitive measure against people who “interfered” with someone. After the invention of various drugs, leucotomy was no longer used in medicine for ethical reasons.
For the first time, what a lobotomy was, it became known in 1890. At that time, however, this operation did not have a name yet. Swiss scientist Gottleib Buckhart removed part of the frontal lobes from six patients. Two of them died, while the rest had a change in behavior and personal qualities.
Already in the twentieth century, the Portuguese scientist Egas Moniz developed prefrontal leucotomy. During this operation, alcohol was injected to destroy brain cells. A little later, an instrument called a leukote appeared. Doctors began to use it instead of alcohol, which was harmfulto the human body. With the development of medicine, parts of the brain began to be destroyed using electricity and electromagnetic waves. In 1949, the Portuguese doctor received the Nobel Prize for his work.
At the beginning of the second half of the 20th century, approximately 5,500 operations were performed in the United States each year. Many doctors criticized her and considered her barbaric. By the mid-1950s, the number of operations had dropped markedly. For ethical reasons, lobotomy was banned in the USSR in 1950 after a long discussion. This was achieved by the famous doctor Vasily Gilyarovsky, who knew perfectly well what a lobotomy was and did not consider it a method of psychiatric treatment. In many countries, this procedure was banned, but in some states the operation could be carried out quietly until the 70s of the last century.
Lobotomy (photo below) has been depicted in many fairly well-known films and books, the authors of which wanted to emphasize the brutality of psychiatrists. After all, they knew perfectly well what a lobotomy was, and were aware of its negative impact on a person. Most people who have undergone surgery have a markedly reduced long-term memory. The person became emotionally inert, indifferent.
There are several methods of lobotomy. One of the most effective is the closed method, which is performed without opening the skull. Carrying out such an operation does not require special knowledge in the field of medicine. The patient can even carry it out on his own. However, this is not the best option, because the operation will have to be done by touch.
Recently, interest in lobotomy has increased. This is especially true for operations at home. Of course, it cannot be performed legally, since at present the lobotomy (the significance of which is overestimated by many) is officially prohibited by the state. In addition, it can be dangerous, like any other surgical intervention performed not by a specialist, but by an ordinary person. Today, there are many other, safer methods of dealing with mental disorders, in addition to such a drastic one. Therefore, it is better to contact a specialist who will definitely select the appropriate treatment, as well as answer all questions regarding what a lobotomy is and whether it is advisable.
