Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 November 1898 — STRANGE BRAIN WOUND. [ARTICLE]

STRANGE BRAIN WOUND.

A Mechanic Alive Despite a Very Remark* able Wound. The hospital records of tbe recent war have directed a great deal of attention to the eases of brain wounds from which the patients survived, and the fact has been set down to the credit of the Mauser bullet. It is well known among surgeons, however, that an injury to the brain from any cause is not necessarily ratal, and an admirable illustration Is to he found in the person of a mechanic now employed at one of the foundries of this city. lb' is somewhat sensitive over the matter, so his name need not be mentioned, but the circumstances were these: Some years ago, while working at a lathe in Birmingham, a piece of machinery broke and he was struck on the left side of the head, just above the ear, by a Hying bolt. The blov£*“ fractured the skull and the iron penetrated the brain itself to a depth of about two inches. The man fell as if shot and lay unconscious for several weeks. llis death was hourly anticipated, but to the surprise of everybody he regained his senses and slowly recovered. It was found that he had forgotten certain things, and for a while he had great difficulty In keeping his balance while walking, but this was eventually overcome, and he is at pretgnt apparently as well as ever. There la a frightful Indention at the place of the injury, hut his faculties and general health seem to be wholly unimpaired. “The case is a very remarkable one,” said a surgeon, “and proves that n man may lose a considerable portion of actual brain without being any the worse for the experience.”—New Orleans Times-Democrat. 1