The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-06-12
SCIENCE VS.. CRIME.

There seems to be an undue amount OF
froth and fuss just now over the subject of
what is termed body snatching," as though
the fact had just come to light that the bust
ness has been carried on for many years in
the neighborhoods of all the medical colleges
of the country. The public has been entirely
familiar with the facts, nor has there at
any time been any effort made to
obscure them. We do not write to apologize
for body snatehing." We do not blame sur
viv1ng friends and relatives for the ex-
hibition of indignation, when it is ascertain
ed that those whom they had lovingly laid
away in the grave have been dragged for
ward to be hacked up in dissectiHg rooms.
This is all natural and right. But it should
be remembered that the people generally
have been well advised that this business
has been going forward in all portions of the
country, and the holy horror now
exhibited is all manufactured for the
occasion. The sad case brought to light at
Cincinnati is likely to have very salutary
effect upon the public mind, and after it be-
comes calmer, when passion gives place to
reason, medical colleges Will not be regard
ed with the aversion that now seems to pre-
vail.
Medicine is one of the learned professions
and the science includes the study of anat-
omy, the knowledge of the human body,
without which society would be deprived of
one of the most essential factors for the re-
lief of human ills 1t should be borne
in mind that medical colleges are not in the
hands of ghouls that professors of surgery
who stand over the subject on the..dissecting
table and with scalpel teach the young tu-
dents how and where to cut for the purpose
of saving life, are animated by motives of
the highest benevolence, deserving of COM
mendations rather than denunciations
These medical professors are the peers of the
most cultured and refined in the land, and
when valuable life is spared by the skill
of the surgeon obtained at the dis
sscting table, his name and fame
go sounding through the world.
Under such circumstances it is easy enough
to see that the popular cry against medical
colleges and their professors is blow direct
ed against the we'll being of society, and
specially against the lives of such individuals
as may require the services of skillful
surgeon. One has broken bone TO set. an
other tumor to be removed, arms and legs
have to be amputsted, and so on through the
entire list ofills, in many of which the life of
the victim depends upon the knowledge and
skill of the surgeon; and this knowledge and
skill are obtained in the dissecting rooms of
medical colleges. These facts we submit, to
some extent at least, have the effect to re-
concile the public nina to the methods of
obtaining subjects for dissection.
Evidently it would be better by statute to
regulate the business, recognize the necessi-
ties of medical colleges, and provide means
for supplying them with subjects for their
dissecting rooms The law of the state of
New York provides as follows:
II shall be lawful, in cities whose population
exceeds 10000 inhabitants, to deliver To- the
professors and teachers medical colleges
and schools In this state, and for said profess
sors and teachers to receive the remains or
medical and surgical study: Provided,
that said remains shall not have been
regularly inferred ana snail not nave been
desired for interment by any relative or friend
of any deceased psrson within "a hours after
death: Provided, also. that the remains of no
person who may be known TO have relatives
or friends shall be so delivered or received
without the consent of said relatives or
friends: And provided, that the remains OF
no one detained for debt or as a witness, or on
suspicion of crime, or of any traveller, nor OF
any person who shall have expressed in his or
her last sickness that his or her body may be
Inferred, shall be delivered received
aforesaid, bat shall be buried I'm the usual
manner: And provided, also, that in case the
remains OF any person so delivered or received
shau be subsequently claimed by any survfv
ing relative or friend they shall be given up
TO said relative or friend for interment
~
decent burial of the remains, and imposes
severe penalties for neglect. 1t Is quite pos
sble that in future science and law will go
hand in hand, rather than that profession
of the dignity OF medicine shall be compelled
to apologize for its efforts to bless the human
family.