The Central Nevadan. [volume] (Battle Mountain, Nev.) 1885-1907, 1903-12-31
REMARKABLE CASE.
Drive a Ten Penny Wire Nail In his
Head and Still Alive.

James F. Brockson, a laborer, arrived
in town about a month ago, and before
coming here was employed on one of the
sections of the Nevada Central r. r.
For some days he was noticed by several
of our citizens to act very strange and
would go along without speaking a word
to anyone but seemed to be perfectly
harmless. He also was under the in.
1uence of liquor for a few days, and con
tinued 80 until some of the citizens took
him in hand as he became 10 a very weak
state, not eating anything, and was with
out means of support. It was thought
that il he was kept in some quiet place
for a short time he would soon improve
both in mind and strength. He was
moved to the Jail where he was made
very comfortable, being furnished with
a warm bed and a good fire and a nurse
was hired to attend to his wants.
After being confined there for some
days he would not eat any kind OF food
that was offered him. It was finally
noticed thai his mind was badly deranged
and DIR. Pope waited on him and gave
him medicine, thinking that after some
days be would show signs OF imp owe
ment. He was in the jail fer over two
weeks, and on Monday as his condition
showed no material change for the better,
DIR. Pope, Commissioner Lemaire and
Constable Austin decided to hold an ex-
animation to adyise means OF what should
be done with him. After questioning
him for a short time it was clearly
| shown that he was mentally deranged.
When asked il be suffered any pains he
would try and lift his hand to his head.
DR.. Pope therefore began to make an ex-
animation, when finally be felt a small
hard substance on top of the head and
| upon close investigation it was revealed
to be the head Of a nail almost entirely
hidden under the scalp. The DR.. had to
use a pair of plyers to get hold Of the
head and when he pulled it out was sur
| prised to see that it was a ten-penny
wire nail, four inches in length. Brock
son had a slight recollection of when he
did il and stated that he drove the nail
in with a small Ratchet, a week ago last
| Saturday, the nail oeing imbedded 10
his head for nearly nine days.
The nail was driven through the scalp
and skull 10 the middle line of the head,
| five inches back OF the base of the hose.
After passing through the skull it went
between the two hemispheres Of the
brain to the bottom of what is known to
anatomists as the great longitudinal
fssure which separates the halves of the
brain.
The nail not being clean the germs oil
inflammation we're carried in and excited
inflammation alorg the tract of the nail
Had the nail been driven into the brain
su distance either side OF the middle line
| of the head, the result might have beer
quite different, for one of the vital cen
tiers might have been struck, death quick
ly resulting.
The operation performed by DR.. Pope
was the removal of the nail and trephinine
out a button of bone with a %trephine
which is a simple cylindrical saw with
handle placed transversely like that of a
gimlet. This permitted free drainage
from the wound within the skull into
which a rubber tube was placed to keep
the matter flowing out.
1t is said that he made a vain attempt
on one other occasion to drive a nail in
his head, but he made a poor job of it
and everything was taken from him b,
which he could injure himself in any
way. He says that he procured the
hatchet from the Nevada saloon, stating
that he secured it himself. BE sharpen.
ed the nail down to a fine point 20 tina,
he would have no difficulty in driving
the nail in his head easy.
He was taken to a room in the Nevads
hotel where the DR.. performed the oper'
alton and Brockson is said to be getting
along as well as can be expected, and
since the operation his temperature ha'
been normal. If he should recover from
he operation, which in all probability b.
will, he will be committed to the asylum
We have the nail on exhibition in this
Office.