Re: Ayn Rand Institute

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In a message dated 96-02-20 20:24:41 EST, rohrlich@GWIS2.CIRC.GWU.EDU (Ruby
Rohrlich) writes:

>Elaine: I seem to remember that in Peru thousands of years ago one
>individual was found with a square cut in the back of his head, obviously
>made by a human being, and indicating some kind of surgery in the skull,
>but I can't remember the dates. I believe a physician gave me this
>information. Have you heard anything like it? Ruby Rohrlich

This operation is known as trephynation and was performed by "doctors" or
spiritual medicine men (I'm not sure of what they were refered to exactly).
The purpose was to relieve pressure on the brain from head injuries. I
studied several skulls bearing tese marks at the Natural History Museum (SI)
and it seems that many individuals lived for many years after such operations
and many had had multiple operations. There used to be a gorgeous mural which
hung in the museum (i've forgotten the name of the artist) that depicted
trephynations being performed. It is apparently on loan to the San Diego
Museum of Anthropology. Trephynations were truly fascinating operations and
similar to medical procedures of today for similar injuries. Hope this helps.

- Adrienne

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