The head trauma amnesia cure: The making of a medical myth.
The myth that a second head trauma can restore memory to someone with a previous head injury is evident in popular fiction and believed by a significant number of people. The double trauma amnesia plot device appeared in 19th century fiction and was fully formed by the 1880s. This article explores the contributions of scientific and popular ideas related to brain symmetry and memory permanence that fueled inaccurate ideas about memory recovery following brain injury.
From the Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA. spiersm@drexel.edu.
Mary V
MV
Spiers
D000647:Amnesia / Q000209:etiology / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000150:complications* / Q000266:history; D005060:Europe; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D049669:History, 16th Century; D049670:History, 17th Century; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D006801:Humans; D008513:Medicine in Literature; D009229:Mythology