CHAPTER VII

Summary

Newhaven, March 20. Phrenology.—The subject of the following case was introduced to me by a medical friend. On 15th September 1833, Lemuel Camp, now aged 36, temperament bilious-sanguine, keeper of an oyster tavern in this city, was shooting, when the gun burst, and the iron which closes the end of the barrel was driven into his skull, and buried in his brain, in the region of Eventuality. He fell, but soon recovered sensation, and walked home, a mile and a half, assisted by two young men. He was conscious all the time; felt little pain, and sustained little loss of blood. Dr Knight travelled three miles to reach him, and then extracted the iron. He felt a terrible wrench when it was withdrawn, but no other severe consequences. The broken portions of the skull were extracted, part of the brain came away, the skin closed on the wound, and in five weeks he was able to walk abroad. He gave me this information himself, in presence of a medical friend of his own, and added that his mind has never been affected; but his friend informed me that Camp's wife declares that, since the accident, he has been oblivious of things and occurrences. He will come into the house, lay down his whip, and in a minute forget where he has put it. After being exposed to severe cold, and after drinking, he is liable to be seized with involuntary muscular action, amounting to convulsions. In other respects, his health is good.