History of Anatomy
The earliest findings of human’s interest in anatomy were ancient cave drawings found on the walls, and sculptures of bodies found as well. The inner body may have first been seen when people came injured in battle or a hunting accident. In the 1500’s, the only bodies available to scientists and surgeons were bodies that the king gave permission to use.
Body snatching from graveyards became very popular at this time in the 18th and 19th centuries. A famous group of body snatchers called the London Burkers admitted to stealing from 500-1000 corpses. The only legal corpses were those that were rarely donated by relatives for the research. At this time, medical schools started in the U.S. In 1832, in an attempt to stop illegal corpse trading, the bodies of unclaimed individuals became available to anatomy schools. The students would observe dissections, to learn about the inner body, as well as witnessing childbirths. Dissection and palpation was the main method of research before the modern-era. Palpation is where the body is examined through touch of the hands, attempting to diagnose the disease or illness. The teaching of anatomy at this time was regulated, so they used information from museums to teach the students.
Bibliography:
· Boeree, G. (2002). Modern medicine and physiology. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/modmed.html
· Gray, H. (1858). Anatomy descriptive and surgical. London: John W. Parker and Son. Retrieved from http://www.archive.org/stream/anatomydescript09graygoog
The earliest findings of human’s interest in anatomy were ancient cave drawings found on the walls, and sculptures of bodies found as well. The inner body may have first been seen when people came injured in battle or a hunting accident. In the 1500’s, the only bodies available to scientists and surgeons were bodies that the king gave permission to use.
Body snatching from graveyards became very popular at this time in the 18th and 19th centuries. A famous group of body snatchers called the London Burkers admitted to stealing from 500-1000 corpses. The only legal corpses were those that were rarely donated by relatives for the research. At this time, medical schools started in the U.S. In 1832, in an attempt to stop illegal corpse trading, the bodies of unclaimed individuals became available to anatomy schools. The students would observe dissections, to learn about the inner body, as well as witnessing childbirths. Dissection and palpation was the main method of research before the modern-era. Palpation is where the body is examined through touch of the hands, attempting to diagnose the disease or illness. The teaching of anatomy at this time was regulated, so they used information from museums to teach the students.
Bibliography:
· Boeree, G. (2002). Modern medicine and physiology. Retrieved from http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/modmed.html
· Gray, H. (1858). Anatomy descriptive and surgical. London: John W. Parker and Son. Retrieved from http://www.archive.org/stream/anatomydescript09graygoog