Thanks to VTDigger for the excellent article about Phineas Gage, “the man with a hole in his head.” Mark Bushnell does a wonderful job with these Vermont history pieces and this article pretty much captures the whole story of Mr. Gage, his freak accident, and its significance to neuroscience.
I became aware of the case when my wife brought a home a book about it written for young readers and suggested I write a song. I did so and included it on my CD “Mystery and Memories – Banjo Dan’s Songs of Vermont, Vol. IV” in 2006. The song was later featured on a BBC broadcast and occasioned a correspondence with Dr. Macmillan in Australia.
Although the accident occurred in 1848, he was still collecting information on the case and asked me to be on the lookout for Gage relatives or others who might have some family reminiscences or insights to share. (I never found any.)
The Smithsonian somehow learned of my interest in Phineas Gage and sent me a print of that terrific photo you included with your story. A few years ago, I went to Harvard Medical School and sure enough, there it is — the skull and the tamping rod.
Next time you’re in Cavendish, you can walk down the railroad track to the spot where the accident occurred and see the commemorative plaque on the town green.
Dan Lindner
Montpelier
