, 1886-11-18
A TREPHINEO SKULL.
Tho Curious Inca Specimen Recently Re
ceived From Peru.

The Curious Inca Specimen Recently Re-
eeived From Peru.
Modern surgery has brought to perfec-
ton methods of trephining skulls of the
living. The researches of anthopolog-
lists, however, show that trephining has
been practiced by savage races both of
the present and of prehistoric times
Skulls Of the dead have been irephined
by savage or semi-savage people for
various purposes. Some trephined
skulls have been found Indicating that
the operation was performed long
enough before the death of the indi-
vidual to allow certain degree of heal
ing. Prof Otis Il. Mason, curator of
the department of chronology, National
Museum, in recent number of the pub
lished proceedings of the museum, says
the most remarkable specimen of post
mortem trephining which has yet come
to light is one recently received by the
museum from Dr. w. II. Jones,
U. 5. N. '1t is a SKULL"
says Prof. Mason, obtained from
Chaclacavo. near Chosica. q mountain
in Peru, near Lima, about four thousand
feet high. Three mumm:es-manw wom-
an and child-werc obtained from one
grave. From the same place were OBJ
tanned several skulls of peculiar shape,
including the one under consideration.
The specimen belongs to the elongated
Inca type. The section or ROUNDED was
taken from the center of the frontal
bone, and the opening is about two and
half inches in length and nearly two
inches in width. The outline of the cut
ting is polygon. Eight distinct fur
rows are visible upon the surface of the
skull. The work seems to have been
done in the most bungling manner. One
furrOw must have been cut across the
space longitudinally, and the parts on
either side of this main furrow were
taken away piecemeal by combination
of burrows and fractures. At the eX-
tremity of some of the burrows scratches
are visible, which seem to indicate that
the bone was removed by means of
Clipped stone implement. 1t is impossi-
bic to conjecture the design of this sim
gular custom. We are not able
to say even whether the bone
was taken out just previous to
or after death. No rondellcs or frag-
ments of bone removed have been found
in this continent similar to those dis
covered by NJ. Prumeres.
The specimen is so deformed, Prof
Mason says, as to admit of no delicate
measurements. In addition to the usual
reformation produced by bandaging, the
occipital region is slightly bent to the
left, and the nasal spine so completely
warped toward the left as to be seen en-
tirely in front of the orifice on that side
After describing more minutely the fur
rows and gasheS, and the methods by
which the trephining was apparently
done, Prof. Mason says: Thus by a
series of saw cuts and breaks, this mass
Of bone, which by courtesy we may call
Il rondelle, was removed. 1t can hardly
be said to throw light upon the problem.
for it has introduced complication of
surgery quite unknown hitherto 1 may
be allowed to venture guess that the
somewhat quadrangular pieces which
would result from the two operations
bounded by the cross line, were wrought
into some useful thing, like the point of
an arrow or spear. Instances are not
wanting among people of low civiliza-
ton where human bodies have been con-
sidercd to have great potency. y WdSh-
iHqto1! Star.