PRESSURE ON THE BRAIN

Nelson Evening Mail, 16 May 1917, Page 4

PRESSURE ON THE BRAIN

PRISONER SUCCESSFULLY OPERATED* ON. (United Pbess Association.) AUCKLAND, May 14. A new departure in phrenology, so far as New Zealand is concerned, - has been made, an operation having been conducted for the removal of pressure on the brain of a prisoner. The case was that of a youth of nineteen years, who was undergoing a long sentence iii con--noction with a charge of attempted murder.' The attention of the Minister of Justice was drawn to the matter by a report from Dr de Clive Lowe, of Auckland, who expressed the opinion that the boy's acts in the past were duo to _ some pressure on the brain, or some similar defect, possibly caused by a bad fall the lad was known to have sustained when about five years old. ' After an X-ray examination the doctor reported that,' in his opinion, the condition _ ret ferred to could be cured, and the patient restored to" normality by l a surgical operation. This ivais confirmed by a southern surgeon. The consent of the boy's parents was obtained and Cabinet approved the Minister's suggestion;that the operation should be allowed to proceed. Dr L6we performed the operation; to-dav. and he reported that it ' proved the accuracy of the diagnosis,' and that the trouble to which he attributes- the past acts of the patient was successfully removed. '• ■ ;."". ,'...* Mr Matthews, Inspector of Prisons,; supervised the necessary arrangements.