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In 1935, Portuguese doctor Egas Moniz learned of an experiment where removing the frontal lobes of two chimpanzees resulted in reduced violent behavior, making them more compliant. Those results triggered the doctor to try the experiment with humans.

Shortly after performing this procedure on unsuspecting patients suffering from mental illnesses, he published a paper demonstrating a method he believed to be an innovative way to treat such illnesses as schizophrenia and psychosis. Today, Moniz is remembered for starting one of the most shameful and tragic procedures in medicine. 

When Was the Last Lobotomy Performed?

From the year 1945 to 1947, there were around 2,000 lobotomies performed. However, the numbers skyrocketed to 18,000 after Moniz was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine for his discovery in 1949. 

The development of antipsychotic medications has been the salvation of patients who were next in line for more lobotomy before and after results. The final recorded lobotomy in the United States was performed by Dr. Walter Freeman in 1967, tragically resulting in the death of the patient.

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Living_Shadow
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Honestly with these photos you can really tell that the doctors only cared about the patients appearances in the end... they didn't bother noting down the side effects or any behavior afterwards

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What Did Lobotomies Do?

There were many factors why this surgery was deemed acceptable by mental institutions back in the day, mainly because there was no medication or therapy effective enough to treat people who suffered from various mental illnesses. And with electroshock therapy being already in use, this invasive operation didn’t shock people. However, the misinformation and active campaigning for the effectiveness of lobotomy had a significant impact, too.

Walter Freeman helped popularize this procedure in the US, becoming one of the most hated doctors. With no surgical training, Freeman decided to change the operation, and instead of drilling holes in the skull, he stabbed the patient’s brain with an icepick through the eye socket. 

Walter Freeman’s lobotomy was an updated method to the point where it only took him 12 minutes to perform it. He traveled around the country in a van called the Lobotomobile and had no problem performing it in non-sterile environments.

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However, he and other doctors who performed this procedure often overlooked the gruesome side effects lobotomies caused, mainly focusing on the appearance of the patients and relieving the discomfort the illnesses had caused to their family members.

This attitude is highlighted in the lobotomy pictures that Freeman took of his patients. He used these before and after lobotomy photos as an argument in favor of the procedure. Scroll below to see the disturbing images.

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Rowlie
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of the faces on the right are so devoid of thoughts, feelings, personalities. Something between zombies and Stepford wives.

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Notsoboredpanda
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This breaks my heart. Imagine living in these times. When you just need support. 💔

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Kelly Horrigan
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I want to upvote every picture but it is hard. It feels wrong to up vote - but I will because they deserve to be seen simply for the horror they endured.

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tarebear
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Subject yo compulsive seizures but made no complaint" so since she didn't complain it was totally fine that she randomly seized

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Robert O
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The photo on the right reminds me of someone... movie star? Author? ... can't recall who.. now just bugging me

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Kelly Horrigan
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In 1940, struggling economy, job anxiety. Poke your eye with an ice pick. Tah Dah!

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Enuya
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lobotomy, electroshocks and tying to bed. It's so hard to believe that we were so barbaric less than one hundred years ago. I know that even today the treatment of mental illness is far from perfect. Still, I am so grateful that I live today, not few decades ago.

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Jen Powell
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How do they even do a second lobotomy? You only have two halves to your brain. :(

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Andrea Bernier Hall
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5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh look! She learned how to smile! No practice needed. Just a little poke here and there, it's really no big deal at all!

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Clovis Lowell
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We now know how to fix underweight people. A hammer and an ice pick.

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