Trephination is the cutting of a circular hole in the cranium (skull). The
term simply describes the procedure, not the reason for it. Thus, it may be
associated with a surgical procedure on the face (e.g. surgery for
sinusitis) as well as some type of cranial surgery. In this case, it was
probably done to relieve pressure or promote drainage. I'm not sure, but
trephination may be used to describe the holes drilled to insert the screws
for axial traction (the "crown" used to stabilize the head and neck).
It is possible for someone to have these procedures and heal with no obvious
visible evidence. Temporary paralysis after a head/neck injury is quite
possible. It is also possible that this Alvin died as a result of the
injury. Is it possible to check death records for Jefferson County, PA in
those years? Are the school records available? These would probably only
be available at a local historical society, but could be online. I have
located a couple of sets of school records from that time period for my
family online.
Renae Bowers-Carnahan
PS: I'm not a medical professional. It just so happens that I was employed
as an attendant to a quadriplegic during my college years. I learned a lot
about it during that time.
-----Original Message-----
From: ENC6(a)aol.com [mailto:ENC6@aol.com]
Sent: Monday, August 15, 2005 9:43 AM
To: CARNAHAN-L(a)rootsweb.com
Subject: [CARNAHAN-L] Alvin Carnahan
Hi Phil,
Sorry - dont' have a connection for this Alvin.
I did find the Alvin you are talking about in the 1900 census with his
mother
Mary who is a widow. The age for that Alvin would certainly fit for someone
to be in school in 1894. In 1900 he is listed as laborer so he must be
quite
able at the time.
But... from what others are saying I don't know if he matches or not.
I don't know what the treatment mentioned in the article is - trephining.
But.... so you suppose it worked...<g>. Or, perhaps he hadn't really broken
his
neck but was just in some sort of trauma that went away.
I thought the article interesting since it was in the Dallas Morning News
and
yet the event happened in Pennsylvania. Interesting that they would include
it.
Take care - Emma