Long before post-traumatic stress disorder gained its name, society dealt with soldiers who returned from combat with “battle fatigue,” “shell shock,” or other mental problems. One of the more disturbing responses to those problems was the frontal lobotomy surgery.

Dr. Philip Miller practiced internal medicine and cardiology for 34 years with Wake Internal Medicine Consultants Inc. and works now as a part-time physician with the Military Entrance Processing Station. He discussed the history of lobotomy surgeries during a speech to the John Locke Foundation’s Shaftesbury Society.

In the video clip below, Miller discusses North Carolina’s experience with lobotomy surgeries.

3:25 p.m. update: Click play below to watch the full 45:32 event.

You’ll find other John Locke Foundation video presentations here.