Scalping was not in itself fatal, though it was most commonly inflicted on the gravely wounded or the dead.
Still, one of many reasons I am glad to live in the time period and country I do. Though also a reminder of how close in our history America is to genocide:
on August 8, 1722, Massachusetts put a bounty on native families, paying 100 pounds sterling for the scalps of male Indians aged 12 and over, and 50 pounds sterling for women and children.
The human body is impressive, he must have had a powerful immune system to survive the healing process for that.
Wikipedia says
Still, one of many reasons I am glad to live in the time period and country I do. Though also a reminder of how close in our history America is to genocide: