The Strange Tale of Phineas Gage Overview of Incident

Learning Target: Describe how physical changes in the brain affect behavior and personality Describe how physical changes in the brain affect behavior and personality

Phineas Gage’s Terrible Accident On September 12, 1848, Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman was blasting rock in Cavendish, Vermont. On September 12, 1848, Phineas Gage, a railroad foreman was blasting rock in Cavendish, Vermont. Gage was responsible, well-liked, and hardworking. He was in charge because he was dependable! Gage was responsible, well-liked, and hardworking. He was in charge because he was dependable! Railroad Railroad

The Blast Gage was an expert in blasting rock. He had a specially designed tamping rod that fit his height. The rod measured 3 feet 8 inches and 1 ¼ inches in diameter. It weighed about 13 pounds. This rod was used to pack down gun powder after a layer of sand was placed over top. Gage was an expert in blasting rock. He had a specially designed tamping rod that fit his height. The rod measured 3 feet 8 inches and 1 ¼ inches in diameter. It weighed about 13 pounds. This rod was used to pack down gun powder after a layer of sand was placed over top. Tamping Rod Tamping Rod

Gage’s Injury On that fateful September day, Gage is blasting a rather large rock and gets distracted. The sand is not placed on top of the gun powder and Gage uses his tamping rod directly on the gun powder. The RESULT: The pointed end of the rod shoots through the left cheek bone and through the top of the head! On that fateful September day, Gage is blasting a rather large rock and gets distracted. The sand is not placed on top of the gun powder and Gage uses his tamping rod directly on the gun powder. The RESULT: The pointed end of the rod shoots through the left cheek bone and through the top of the head! Gage’s Skull and MRI Gage’s Skull and MRI

A Miracle The rod exploded with such force that it shot clear through his head and landed about half a football field away. Gage from all accounts remained conscious and was able to walk with assistance. The rod exploded with such force that it shot clear through his head and landed about half a football field away. Gage from all accounts remained conscious and was able to walk with assistance. Dr. John Harlow attempted to remove bone fragments and allowed the wound to remain open and drain. At one point, Gage’s brain became infected with a “fungus”. Harlow opened the scalp and drained 8 ounces of pus and Gage then began a dramatic recovery. Dr. John Harlow attempted to remove bone fragments and allowed the wound to remain open and drain. At one point, Gage’s brain became infected with a “fungus”. Harlow opened the scalp and drained 8 ounces of pus and Gage then began a dramatic recovery. Artist Drawing Artist Drawing

So what happened? Gage miraculously recovered by January of He attempted to earn a living travelling around New England with his rod and his story, BUT…life was never the same for Gage. Gage miraculously recovered by January of He attempted to earn a living travelling around New England with his rod and his story, BUT…life was never the same for Gage. How did this accident affect his personality and behavior? Watch the re- enactment and see for yourself. How did this accident affect his personality and behavior? Watch the re- enactment and see for yourself. Phineas Gage Phineas Gage