Small spicules of bone were removed, and a cloth was placed on the battered skull to receive the discharges for the inspection of the surgeon, who on his arrival saw at least two tablespoonfuls of cerebral substance on this cloth.

Contrary to all expectation this man recovered, but, strangely, he had a marked and peculiar change of voice, and this was permanent.
From the time of the reception of the injury his whole mental and moral nature had undergone a pronounced change.

Before the injury, the patient was considered a quiet, unassuming, and stupid boy, but universally regarded as honest.

Afterward he became noisy, self-asserting, sharp, and seemingly devoid of moral sense or honesty.
These new traits developed immediately, and more strikingly so soon as convalescence was established.
Bergtold quotes a case reported in 1857 of extreme injury to the cranium and its contents.

While sleeping on the deck of a canal boat, a man at Highspire was seriously injured by striking his head against a bridge.