The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-04-14

which the bodies of strangers and those who
die at a distance from their relations may be
fully protected, there would still remain sufh-
eient number of those who die in vice and de-
bauchery, unnoticed and unknown, Ignorant OF
their situation while alive, and Indifferent as to
what occurs to them after death, to afford the
means of cultvatng this useful and intispensa-
BILE study; and proper arrangements would even
have the effect of giving security to he feel
ings of those who ought not to become the sub
jects of this pursuit.
The committee think proper TO s;y that in
their investigation, they have found every dis
position on the part of medical persons to give
information on the subject of Their inquiry
and an obvious wish that all obscuritg in regard
to it should be removed, and that / should be
fully understood by the Legislature and the
whole community.
From the result of these investigations the
committee are convinced that the interest of
society requires some modification of the pres
ent laws by which the study of anatomy may
be pursued under suitable regulations, without
mourning the risk of absolute disgrace and ruin
The Massachusetts Medical Society was in
corporated with power to require, and it is made
their duty to require, of all persons entering
on the practice of the profession, an adequate
knowledge Of anatomy-and the committee
would respectfully suggest, whether il be con-
sistent for the Legislature to oppose the pres
ent legal obstacles to their pursuit. Ii is mani
testify against the best interests of the commu-
nifty, that expenses which can be borne only by
a few, or the immortality of violation Of the
laws and an exposure to ignomlnious punish
ment, should be the only alternatives offered to
an honorable and most useful profession in OBJ
tanning their education. 1t has been made
plain to the committee, that every physician
and surgeon should, by personal examination,
obtain an exact knowledge of the situation and
relation of the innumerable parts of the human
body, or there will be danger of his manning
those whom he wishes to restore, and destroy
ing those whom he wishes to save.
The "Act to protect the Sepuchres of the
dead" was the first upon that subiect-it had
before been left to the discretion of the common
law.
The committee are aware that the subject is
as delicate and difficult as it is important, and
they do not think it expedient to propose any
alteration of the laws at the present time-be-
cause in community like ours, it is necessary
that laws should proceed from and be support
ed by public opinion. They are satisfied from
the statements made TO them by some of the
most eminent persons Of the medical profession,
that great prejudices exist, and that it is very
important that correct information should be
spread abroad in the community. The science
of no profession has been mere improved in
modern times than the medical, and it is prin-
clpally owing to the more thorough and exact
knowledge of anatomy. There is no reason to
suppose that great discoveries and improve
ments may not yet be maGe-but further i'm
provement is hopeless under a rigid enforce
ment of the present statute.
In the opinion of the committee, nothing
would tend more to the protection of the Sep
ulchres of the dead, than the removal of the
difficulties that now attend the practice of dis
section. Ifdlssection be necessary to a thorough
knowledge of anatomy, the means will be occa-
sionally provided, even at the risk of the severe
penalties of the statute, whereas if proper sub
ects for dissection could be furnished under
suitable regulations, without violating the laws,
the scpulchres of the dead might be effectualy
secured by laws, which there would be little or
no f8aducement to violate.
After having fully considered the subject, the
committee respectfully recommend that the
further consideration thereof be referred to the
frst session of the next General Court, and
that this report be published in the several
wealth.
All which is respectfully submitted by
LEvERKTT SALToEsTALL, Chairman.
In House Of Representatives., March II, 1880.
Read and accepted, and ordered accordingly
that this Report be published in all the news
papers which print the Laws Of the Common
wealth.
Attest: P. w. WARREN, Clerk.