Phineas Gage: A Case of Brain Injury

In 1848, blasting foreman Phineas Gage was clearing rock in Vermont,

as part of the advance team of railway workers prepping the line for the Rutland and Burlington

Railroad. After packing a hole with gunpowder, Gage proceeded to tamper it down with

sand. To do that he used a four-foot-long iron rod shaped like a javelin.

Unfortunately, the rod caused a spark and ignited the gunpowder, firing said rod

through Gage’s left cheek and out through the top of his head. Although Gage lost a significant amount

of blood and brain matter, he not only survived the accident but went on to live

for another 12 years. However, his personality changed from an affable,