An international group of researchers and students from UniCamillus University has developed an interdisciplinary study combining medicine, maxillofacial surgery, and military history to analyse a famous episode in the life of Admiral Horatio Nelson.
The aim of the research was to investigate the consequences of a facial trauma sustained by Nelson during the Battle of Calvi in 1794, when an impact from stone fragments caused a severe injury to his right eye, resulting in the loss of vision.
This event has also been linked to the subsequent Battle of Copenhagen, during which Nelson received an order to withdraw while engaged in naval combat. Despite the signal being clearly communicated, he raised his telescope to his right eye—already blind due to the previous injury—and declared that he “could not see any signal.” This symbolic gesture enabled him to justify his decision to ignore the order and continue the attack, contributing decisively to the British victory.
From this episode also originates the well-known English expression “to turn a blind eye,” meaning to deliberately ignore something or pretend not to see it, which has become firmly established in common usage precisely thanks to Nelson’s figure.
The UniCamillus study, entitled “Could a maxillofacial surgeon have changed the course of European history?”, focused on the analysis of three facial casts of the Admiral produced between 1798 and 1800, comparing them with historical documentation of the Battle of Calvi and with current knowledge of zygomatic complex fractures and traumatic optic neuropathies.
The findings suggest the possible presence of a right zygomatic fracture associated with signs consistent with ocular damage, but they also indicate that the loss of vision would not have been directly caused by the fracture itself, nor would it have been treatable through maxillofacial surgery, even according to today’s medical knowledge.
The investigation was carried out within the UniCamillus project “Students for Research”, designed to involve students in real scientific activities.
The study on Admiral Nelson was presented at the 27th Congress of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery in 2024, and was conducted by Iga Mamińska and Martina Longo (UniCamillus students), Nikhil Cascone (Barts Health NHS Trust, Royal London Hospital), Haizhong Zhang (Chinese PLA General Hospital), and Professor Piero Cascone (UniCamillus Professor of Maxillofacial Surgery), who served as the principal investigator.
To learn more, we interviewed Iga Mamińska, a UniCamillus student of Medicine and Surgery and one of the authors of the study.
Hi Iga! What year are you in, and what specialty would you like to pursue?
“I am in my sixth year of Medicine. I would like to specialize in a field that combines both clinical and surgical practice, as I have always had a strong interest in surgery, particularly microsurgery.”
“Tell us a little about ‘Students for Research’…”
“‘Students for Research’ is a project conceived by Professor Piero Cascone with the aim of involving students in clinical and scientific research activities. It offers the concrete opportunity to take part in studies, collaborate with specialists, and contribute to scientific publications and congresses. It is a highly formative experience, as it allows students to engage with research already during their university studies.”
What motivated you to take part in this study on Horatio Nelson?
“The initial idea was proposed by Professor Cascone, who is very passionate about the figure of Horatio Nelson and his impact on European history. I was immediately struck by the interdisciplinary nature of the project, which brings together medicine, maxillofacial surgery, and history.”
But how did the idea of analysing Nelson’s facial casts from a medical perspective come about?
“The idea arose from the fact that facial casts represent the most faithful and objective records of Nelson’s facial features. Unlike artistic portraits, which may be influenced by the artist’s interpretation, casts allow for the direct observation of actual anatomical features. In these casts, we identified several lesions consistent with facial trauma, such as flattening of the right cheek, depression of the malar eminence and the right infraorbital margin, right ocular dystopia, and a depressed position of the right eyeball.”
What were the main objectives of the study?
“The main objective was to determine whether the trauma sustained by Nelson during the Battle of Calvi had caused not only blindness in his right eye, but also a possible fracture of the right zygomatic bone. In addition, we aimed to assess whether modern maxillofacial treatment could have altered the clinical outcome.”
What tools or methods did you use??
“We analysed the facial casts by comparing morphological parameters typical of zygomatic fractures, such as facial symmetry and the position of the eyeballs. We integrated these observations with historical sources and modern medical literature on fractures of the zygomatic complex.”
What was the most surprising finding?
“The most surprising finding was the consistency of the features observed in the casts with a possible zygomatic fracture. However, it also emerged that the loss of vision would most likely not have been preventable even with modern surgical techniques.”
What does this research tell us about eighteenth-century medicine?
“It clearly highlights the limitations of the period: diagnoses were based solely on observation, with no advanced diagnostic tools available. Many complex injuries could not be fully understood or properly treated.”
How many of you worked on this study? Did it take you many months?
“The team consisted of Professor Cascone, myself, another student—Martina Longo—an ophthalmologist, and an international collaborator from a Department of Stomatology in China. We worked on the project for several months, particularly during the phases of data collection, analysis, and literature review.”
Did anything in Nelson’s story surprise you that you didn’t know before starting the study?
“Yes, I was particularly struck by both his relationship with Lady Hamilton—which was especially intense and unconventional for the time—and his remarkable resilience. Despite numerous illnesses and injuries, he continued to play a decisive role in European history, demonstrating exceptional determination.”
Will there be further developments related to this study?
“Absolutely. We would like to further develop this project by using advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence and 3D digital reconstruction, to analyse facial injuries in even greater detail. This could allow for a more precise understanding of the trauma and its consequences.”
Are there other historical figures you would like to study?
“Yes, for example Henry V of England, who sustained a severe facial trauma caused by an arrow. It would be fascinating to analyse his case using modern techniques!”
Do you think this experience will influence your future?
“Yes, it has reinforced my interest in surgery and in the integration between clinical practice and scientific research. It has also confirmed my interest in surgical disciplines, particularly those that allow for a comprehensive approach to the patient.”
