New Evidence Suggests Lobotomy On Evita Might Have Been Done To Quiet Her Rebellious Spirit

[Judi Lynn]

New Evidence Suggests Lobotomy On Evita Might Have Been Done To Quiet Her Rebellious Spirit

Author:Bahar Gholipour



Evita, 1950. Photograph in public domain.

You might want to cry for Evita.

Few years ago, Daniel E. Nijensohn, a neurosurgeon at Yale, uncovered evidence showing that Eva Perón, the first lady of Argentina, also known as Evita, received a lobotomy in 1952. It was thought that Perón went under the knife to cut parts of her frontal lobe to control her severe pain from cervical cancer.

Now Nijensohn has published a new paper with more evidence that suggests the lobotomy on Perón might have been done not just for pain control, but to actually modify her behavior and personality.

"Notwithstanding the disreputable connotation of conspiracy theories, evidence was found of a potentially sinister political conspiracy, led by General Perón, to quiet down his wife Evita and modify her behavior/personality to decrease her belligerence, in addition to treating her cancer-related pain. Psychosurgery was purportedly intended to calm Evita and thus avoid a bloody civil war in Argentina."

In the 1950s, prefrontal lobotomy was used by some surgeons for three main reasons: managing psychiatric patients, controlling pain from terminal cancer, and mind control and personality modification. The controversial surgery often involved cutting the connections between the frontal lobes and other parts of the brain, and left patients with serious side effects. Those who survived the procedure were rendered emotionless, quiet and intellectually impaired.

More:
https://www.braindecoder.com/evita-lobotomy-1238264716.html

[forest444]

1. Intriguing - although Perón wasn't worried about a civil war, but rather a coup d'état.

Argentina had all manner of acute political crises since the last civil war (actually a series of intermittent conflicts) ended there in 1861, and they never erupted into war. The country had already gone though two military coups though, and the prospect of a third is what worried Perón most - not to mention the political persecution that would surely follow.

Evita's stubbornness - and some would argue, her mere presence - was threatening to trigger such a coup, and in fact almost did shortly before the November 1951 election (which Perón won in a landslide). Perón was ultimately, and as he had long feared, overthrown 4 years later.

It's worth noting that despite being arguably the most divisive single event in Argentine history, no civil war erupted after the 1955 coup against the populist leader. Many Peronists though were in fact rounded up, jailed, had their property absconded, and in about 30 cases actually executed - in short what Perón actually feared and was probably trying to prevent if he in fact had a hand in this. I guess we'll never know.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Glad you highlighted this area and showed us there's a lot to learn about it.

It has been almost completely unmentioned in ordinary US "takes" on South American history.

Thank you.

[glinda]

2. I worked in a Facility that housed remnants of this.

In reading the records of the primarily "women" who had forced lobotomies the explanations were generally from men, families or spouses that claimed the women has disorders. Would "talk back" or strong personalities. To silence them years ago it appears it was not uncommon for then the person to be forced to have this procedure. Or co-oreced sometimes. Then of course, drugs were given in addition to the procedures for further behavior modification. I want to tell you how sad it was to witness the brilliance of some of these people but with reduced compacities in some areas. They were generally in their 70-80's and it was very enlightening for me to have spent several years helping them. It was a life changing experience.

[Judi Lynn]

3. It's almost a heart-stopping idea to people who've never known any of the recipients personally.

Really hard to imagine what devastation would be wrought by this procedure on anyone. Behavior modification, yet.

So easy to see how it would be life changing. It would take a lot of courage and hope to communicate positively with someone who had endured so much. I don't believe most people are skilled, focused enough to be effective, and most would probably be completely incapable altogether. Self-centeredness would definitely not be an asset in this work.

Thank you for your comments.