Citation

Humphries E. J. R. Coll. Physicians Edinb. 2014; 44(1): 67-71.

Affiliation

E Humphries 113 Caiyside Edinburgh EH10 7HR Scotland tel 07590 023641 e-mail Emma.humphries.09@aberdeen.ac.uk.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh)

DOI

10.4997/JRCPE.2014.116

PMID

24995452

Abstract

During the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries anatomy theatres in Scotland suffered from a shortage of cadaveric material. Medical students and their teachers were eager to improve their medical education and began to look for ways to further their anatomy knowledge and so turned to bodysnatching. Bodysnatching failed to meet the demand so some resorted to murder to acquire cadavers, sometimes in exchange for money. Bodysnatching became common throughout the British Isles and prompted the 1832 Anatomy Act, which allowed unclaimed bodies to be used for dissection.

Language: en