Since the first lobotomy (leucotomy), the very core of it is to control any untoward behavior. The first traces of lobotomy from the dogs to the chimpanzee have been focused on how to control the physical outbursts caused by some behavioral and mental disorders. During Egas Moniz’ time, receivers of the procedure included those that have severe mental illnesses. His patients were considered according to all the other procedures that have been tried. As mentioned, those that were ‘operated’ have already underwent all other alternative treatments.
This eventually changed as other neurologists and neurosurgeons performed lobotomy. An observation discovered that of his 18 schizophrenic patients, only 3 were ‘almost cured’, 2 were ‘much better’ (Jansson). In the 1940’s, lobotomy, with other neurosurgeons, then moved from those that have severe mental disorders down to those that simply have too much headache, too mischievous and has poor performance in schools. Asylums’ patients were mostly the receivers of these lobotomies. They are not only ‘operated’, they were subjected to studies. Some lobotomy operations were done just because of very minor behavioral issues.
The age range is very wide, even children can receive the procedure. Lobotomy is said to ‘cure’ affective disorders initially. Affective disorders refer to those that are having extreme changes in their moods. A study from more than 9,000 patients in England and Wales was observed, 41% of them greatly improved, and the 28% slightly improved, 25 % did not notice any change, while the remaining percentage either worsen or died (Jansson). With the separation of the prefrontal lobes from the rest of the brain, it is said that lobotomy keeps moods at a normal level and that emotions are controlled better.
In such a procedure, which was disproved, cutting nerves that connects from the lobe to the rest of the brain is a treatment for mental disorders. How lobotomy is performed Lobotomy comes from the Greek terms ‘lobos’ meaning lobe of the brain; and ‘tomos’ is ‘to slice or cut’. The two types of lobotomy are prefrontal lobotomy, and trans orbital lobotomy. Although, when Moniz performed the procedure, it was called leucotomy or leukotomy. He also developed the device called ‘leucotome’. This is the device that is used to cut of the nerves between the prefrontal lobes to the rest of the brain.