Lobotomobile

Walter Freeman, the inventor of the transorbital lobotomy, traveled around in the ‘50s and ‘60s in a car he called the “lobotomobile”, carrying the tools of his trade, icepick and mallet. This is the story of the upcoming film A Hole In One, starring Meat Loaf.

It is interesting to consider the effects of prefrontal lobotomies on religious behavior. Here is an excerpt from an old psychosurgery manual at www.lobotomy.info.

We have not infrequently operated upon patients who have experienced religious exaltation and others too numerous to mention who have considered themselves endowed with mystic powers or under the influence, beneficent or malign, of unexplained spiritual forces. These tend to disappear after operation, and their place is taken by rather matter-of-fact mode of religious observance to which they have been accustomed but without deep conviction or enthusiasm…In most instances—beyond attending church and singing with the congregation or in the choir—the externals appear to be sufficient. These patients are direct, practical and uninspired. Their beliefs are somewhat childlike, are seldom spoken of and are passed over, when direct inquiries are made, as of no particular importance. It is readily perceived that the spiritual life is gravely affected by prefrontal lobotomy.

And also:

Eliminating the affective components supplied by the thalamus does away with preoccupation with the self and the future, and consequently abolishes the demoralization that is synonymous with psychosis or neurosis..[The individual] goes through the forms of social and religious observance, but without the deep emotional conviction that characterized him before his illness.

A coherent theory of biotheology will explain such effects of lobotomies on religious belief and behavior.

5 Responses to “Lobotomobile”

  1. Brian Richmond Says:

    If Jesus Christ had been given a lobotomy, the world would have been spared from Christianity.

  2. Adam Says:

    I’m gonna suffocate from that XD

  3. stephanie Says:

    do you have a photo of the lobotomobile, or know where I can find what it looks like?

    Let me know thanks!

  4. Stuperbity Alive and Well in the Show-Me-State Says:

    […] Or this guy. […]

  5. Depleted Cranium » Blog Archive » “My Lobotomy” – A Must Read For Anyone Interested In the Subect Says:

    […] procedure for everything from depression to migraine headaches. He toured in a car he dubbed the lobotomobile. Freeman took photographs of nearly all his procedures, he produced instructional films on the […]

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