On 31 Jan 2003, Jeffrey Nagelbush wrote: > As we were taling about Phineas Gage, a student asked if the doctors > used alcohol on his brain as they were cleaning it out. If so, and > even if not so, what effect would alcohol have on the brain cells they > came in contact with?
Re the effect of alcohol on brain cells. You could do an experiment. Here's one. An instructor brought two glasses to school, one filled with whiskey, the other water. In front of the class, he took out an earthworm and dropped it in the glass of water. The worm wiggled happily. He retrieved the worm and dropped it in the glass of whiskey. The worm shrivelled up and died. "What does this teach us about the effect of alcohol?" he demanded of his class. Voice from the rear: "If you drink alcohol, you'll never have worms!" In fact, alcohol in an appropriate concentration will kill brain cells. It was sometimes used this way as a technique for producing experimental brain lesions. It was even used clinically for this purpose. Moniz's first lobotomies were carried out using alcohol injections into the frontal lobes (e.g. see Swayze, 1995). Swayze, V. (1995). Frontal leukotomy and related psychosurgical procedures in the era before antipsychotics (1935-1954): a historical overview. American Journal of Psychiatry, 152, 505-- -Stephen ______________________________________________________________ Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. tel: (819) 822-9600 ext 2470 Department of Psychology fax: (819) 822-9661 Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Lennoxville, QC J1M 1Z7 Canada Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at http://www.frostburg.edu/dept/psyc/southerly/tips _________________________________________________________ --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
