I know that the once popular “cure” for schizophrenics, homosexuals and radicals has fallen off the chart of common medical procedures but, does the operation reap any benefits that are still sought after today?
Were there any laws passed to curtail the procedure?
Yep - but these days it’s called “Psycho-surgery”, and the procedure is quite a bit more refined.
In the past, a lobotomy could/would be performed by inserting a sharp object (think ice pick) up under the eyelid, into the front of the brain and vigorously moving it back and forth.
In some patients this produced what could be considered a positive result. In most patients it just erased any sort of personality they posessed.
These days, surgeons still perform this type of surgery, but typically it’s done with laser and is far more precise.
Psychosurgery can be used to treat those with epilepsy by leasioning certian trigger areas of the brain.
The procedure is still very controversial, however. Some physicians/psychologist feel that it offers no benefits, whatsoever.
What alice said. And do a google for “transorbital leukotomy”.
It’s all the intentional destruction of healthy brain tissue on behalf of behavior/personality modification.