Dissection After Death.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1902, 13 September 1884, Page 5

Dissection After Death.

Amongst the strange institutions which have been started within the last few years is that of " The Society for Mutual Autopsy," which commenced its existence in Paris iv the year 187(5. No ballotling or any elaborate system is necessary to become a member. A proper introduction, with a fee of five francs, suffices, and an engagement to will your body to the Society for the purpose of dissection after death. In order to preveni the friends and relatives ot the dead frustrating the intentions of the testator, by disposing of the corpse in the usual manner, a proper legal form has been drawn up and inscribed in the rules. This Society, which consists of about two hundred members, a dozen of whom are iadies, contains amongst its members manymen eminent in the medical world in Pans, as well as distinguished in science and arc. The theory of the founders is, that in conaequenee of the difficulty of obtaining for postmortem examinations any other subjects but those of the lowest classes, whose faculties are naturally warped or otherwise undeveloped, much benefit must accrue to science by an opportunity being given for the dissection o£ persons of cultivated understanding, and particulaxiy by makiag observations on the brain. Between twenty and thirty of the members of this Society generally dine together once a month at a restaurant near the iialles, where they pass a congenial evening, although there is a touch of ghastilness in the gathering. When one of their community ia missing at the banquet, instead of lamenting over his departure, every ono listens with rapt interest to the aiugeon's explanation of the post-mortem examination he has made.—* Gliambers' Journal.