constant struggle with its own limitations and imperfections. Bound by norms and

social stratification, civilization has molded itself into a conformist society. The

same society that looks upon radical medicinal practices and alternative ways of

thinking with disdain. One medical custom met with great opposition from most

cultures is that of trepanation. Elaborated in this text will be the history, truths and

falsehoods, popular views, and clinical documentation of the practice of

trepanation and reasons behind the use of this type of surgery.

Trepanation is one of the earliest surgical operations known. There is

ample evidence to show that it was practiced by primitive man in prehistoric times.

The scraping of a hole in the cranium by ancient man was probably carried out

with the intention of relieving pains in the head or curing epilepsy, and at the same

time providing an exit for an evil spirit to escape from. Recently, archaeologists

have discovered a 7,000-year-old burial site at Ensisheim, in the French region of

Alsace. At this site is the earliest evidence of trepanation. The burial contains the

consider this operation as a viable way of making their life more fulfilled.

carry out the process of opening their skull would still stand with the notion that

a higher consciousness. (Sokoloff, 66)

trepanning was resorted to for therapeutic reasons. The Incas preferred square

viewpoints are in need of confirmation, as it is rather difficult to imagine that

and therefore an enhanced level of neurological functioning. However, three basic

In today's context, most trepanations are carried out for the sake of attaining

the first time clearly mapped. His main work, Blood Circulation In The Brain, was

skull is completely closed and fully ossified, as it is known to do in open skulls, is

Some common words found in the essay are:
Bart Huges, Ernst Simonson, South America, , Klosovskii Using, Matthia Barvatio, Ensisheim French, Incas Peru, BN Klosovskii, Health Service, brain pulsations, closed skull, cerebral pulsations, pulse wave, brain pulsation, pulse pressure, cerebrospinal fluid, mm water, trepan introduced, blood circulation, blood circulation brain, cranial cavity completely, cavity completely filled, recognized cranial cavity, public health service,
Approximate Word count = 2006
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)