‘Icepick Surgeon’ Did Over 2000 Lobotomies

Dr. Walter Freeman was a neurologist who performed over 2000 lobotomies in the course of his controversial career. Though he claimed to want to help people in mental wards, Freeman continued to do lobotomies even when they weren’t warranted. Sam Kean told Inside Edition Digital, “He was convinced lobotomies were the only humane way to treat people.” Kean tells the story of Dr. Freeman, and other ethically suspect practitioners of science and medicine, in his new book, “The Icepick Surgeon.” #InsideEdition

[divsib]

Hearing the phrase "swish it around" is sending chills down my spine.

[Tyexx]

“Sir, the patient claims he’s depressed, so let’s go ahead and make him feel nothing at all.”

[shrekwazowski]

Makes me feel bad for the people that suffered from this dangerous and evil experiment.

[ImSicKPaLOfficial]

Feel so bad for those poor people who had to go through this nonsense

[ms.krueger]

Rosemary Kennedy was basically murdered and another person emerged. She was never herself again. Disgusting to do that to your child. 💔😢

[austinbevis]

Being lobotomized is literally my worst fear. I’d rather just die than lose myself

[Jcislrd]

I don't think he did it for science after a certain point. Maybe it started that way, that later started becoming more pleasurable for him more than science. He enjoyed it

[MsTemptation]

Too bad that a lobotomy hadn't been performed on him, since it sounds like it would've done wonders in helping him to understand what his lack of empathy towards people with actual mental health disorders feels like from their perspective.

[brandyb]

Rose Kennedy's sorry was so sad, a vibrant girl had her soul stolen.

[kentbenedict]

And they thought it was okay back then. God bless the people.

[mystiecub]

There's a book written by one of his patients called My Lobotomy: Howard Dully's Journey. He had this done to him when he was 12 years old. The story is equal parts disturbing and heartbreaking.

[spaceisntgreen]

even if he wasn’t doing LOBOTOMIES, the idea of a *celebrity surgeon* that *does surgeries in front of strangers* is incredibly disturbing. what the hell was wrong with him???

[edamian]

Seems like the surgeon needed a “lobotomy” himself, he was crazy for that. Poor people smh.

[stardust]

I feel like lobotomy is one of the worst medical mistakes ever conceived.

[usamazulqarnain]

This is just sad hearing what all of the victims had to go through by this lobotomy, Rosemary Kennedy's story was very sad as well. 😔

[GgAmble]

This was sick. No one stood up for those people. The Dr.s originally treating those patients were at fault too.

[Anewday]

This and so many other treatments for what we now call depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, panic disorders etc. were so inhumane that it’s just sad. It’s unbelievable how many people who experienced these common mental health issues were robbed of their own lives and of happiness they could have had all because of the lack of human consideration, research and studies. Wow!!! Just WOW!!!

[vladimir-savage]

I thank God I wasn't born in a time where this was considered normal, especially since I was sent to an institution because I tried to end my life due to my losing battle with Schizophrenia". It's been years since I've had a bad episode, where I'm both a danger to myself and anyone around, I make sure I always have my medicine with me at all times

[JohnDoe-erzp]

I bet he was no stranger to phrase: trust me, I’m a doctor.

[WhatSoEverThingsAreLovely]

This one ruined the lives of 2000 people but no jail? Then you have someone caught with drugs on them and serve many years in prison?