This is a really interesting read. Thanks for posting it! I'll cross-post to my own Crime & Psychology Substack because I'm sure my subscribers will enjoy it, too.
That is very kind form you. We do admire Dully for writing this and making something of his life despite all the challenges and abuse he endured. We do think that it's key to understand so we can mitigate. There will be plenty more re lobotomy.
I appreciate the effort to contextualize the practice of lobotomy back in the day. On the other hand, I think the understanding of the brain (then or now) was so poor that it really was quite reckless.
"We don't know why it works sometimes and fails others but I'm going to do it anyway," is very unscientific.
You raise a good point. We will be writing more about lobotomy and some other shock therapies. We should keep in mind the overcrowding that many hospitals faced. Shock therapies managed to drastically reduce patient populations and to some degree appear to work. One of these therapies was giving malaria to a patient to cure them of a mental illness -- this required keeping people purposely sick with malaria so that when you need to administer the therapy you had malaria available.
Further, we know that a person who was lobotomized kept their role as the first violinist in a philharmonic, that another lobotomized patient kept their job running a hospital, and that many were able to go back to live somewhat normal lives. Walter Freeman used to claim about 1/3 are cured, 1/3 improve and 1/3 stay the same or get a little worse.
I think there are some other cultural values at play too - like work being central to life and the nation. One of the ways in which Freeman often justified his procedure was that lobotomized patients could serve food, be waiters, clean tables and toilets, and do other jobs even if they lost some creativity. Freeman had thousands of letters from former patients and their relatives who raved about the success of the procedure, and some who even came back for a 2nd or a 3rd lobotomy.
I suspect some current practices will be seen in a similar light. Early chemotherapy was brutal (current ones can still be brutal). It seems like such an unfocused approach to treating cancer.
I suppose that in desperate times there is a chance that a society will be overzealous and rapidly embrace alleged cures. In part this is what we are trying to warn people/doctors/etc about... Let us be really careful about what new interventions we embrace.
I came here from Jason Frowley's cross-post. This is fascinating but such a sad story. I've read a bit about Freeman, but I appreciate the added context. As someone with bipolar disorder (well under control at this point, thankfully!) and who has friends with various mental health issues, it's sad to read how others with mental disorders have been mistreated.
Thank you for your kind note. Dully's story is really sad. I agree that it's disheartening how people with mental illnesses have been treated. One of the reasons why endeavor to treat historical actors fairly is to try and derive lessons that can prevent further harm. Sadly, there are many cases in which good intentions are insufficient protection.
We are glad that you have it under control. Thank you for sharing.
This is a really interesting read. Thanks for posting it! I'll cross-post to my own Crime & Psychology Substack because I'm sure my subscribers will enjoy it, too.
Hi Jason,
That is very kind form you. We do admire Dully for writing this and making something of his life despite all the challenges and abuse he endured. We do think that it's key to understand so we can mitigate. There will be plenty more re lobotomy.
I appreciate the effort to contextualize the practice of lobotomy back in the day. On the other hand, I think the understanding of the brain (then or now) was so poor that it really was quite reckless.
"We don't know why it works sometimes and fails others but I'm going to do it anyway," is very unscientific.
It certainly is when the procedure is irreversible. Worth a try if it’s just a couple of aspirin, I suppose!
Hi David,
You raise a good point. We will be writing more about lobotomy and some other shock therapies. We should keep in mind the overcrowding that many hospitals faced. Shock therapies managed to drastically reduce patient populations and to some degree appear to work. One of these therapies was giving malaria to a patient to cure them of a mental illness -- this required keeping people purposely sick with malaria so that when you need to administer the therapy you had malaria available.
Further, we know that a person who was lobotomized kept their role as the first violinist in a philharmonic, that another lobotomized patient kept their job running a hospital, and that many were able to go back to live somewhat normal lives. Walter Freeman used to claim about 1/3 are cured, 1/3 improve and 1/3 stay the same or get a little worse.
I think there are some other cultural values at play too - like work being central to life and the nation. One of the ways in which Freeman often justified his procedure was that lobotomized patients could serve food, be waiters, clean tables and toilets, and do other jobs even if they lost some creativity. Freeman had thousands of letters from former patients and their relatives who raved about the success of the procedure, and some who even came back for a 2nd or a 3rd lobotomy.
I suspect some current practices will be seen in a similar light. Early chemotherapy was brutal (current ones can still be brutal). It seems like such an unfocused approach to treating cancer.
I suppose that in desperate times there is a chance that a society will be overzealous and rapidly embrace alleged cures. In part this is what we are trying to warn people/doctors/etc about... Let us be really careful about what new interventions we embrace.
I came here from Jason Frowley's cross-post. This is fascinating but such a sad story. I've read a bit about Freeman, but I appreciate the added context. As someone with bipolar disorder (well under control at this point, thankfully!) and who has friends with various mental health issues, it's sad to read how others with mental disorders have been mistreated.
Hi Meredith,
Thank you for your kind note. Dully's story is really sad. I agree that it's disheartening how people with mental illnesses have been treated. One of the reasons why endeavor to treat historical actors fairly is to try and derive lessons that can prevent further harm. Sadly, there are many cases in which good intentions are insufficient protection.
We are glad that you have it under control. Thank you for sharing.