San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1896-06-26
PLEDGE THEIR BODIES.
An Uncanny Society Known as
the Autopsy Club.
Its Members Agree That When Thsx
Die Their Remains Shall Be Giver
Over to the Cause of
Science.

There is in Faris a large, csrefuily-
organized society of scientists-with
several women members-which has
a CHASTITY and horrible purpose. Each
member has solemnly pledged himself
that when he dies his body, instead of
having ceremonious burial, shall be de-
Hvered to his surviving associates, who
shall dissect it, and that his brain like
wise shall be studied and probed for
its secrets, and finally immersed in al
cohol, it shall be ranged in a glass be-
side the skull which held it, along with
other brains and skulls of those that
have gone before.
The name of this strange organiza-
tion is the Mutual Autopsy society Ia
Societe d'Autopsie Mutuelle). 1t is
composed of about 100 living members,
and the dead, whose skulls and brains
are neatly catalogued in glass case
at one end of the meeting-room, num-
ber IA. Within a few days the 18th
CHASTITY relic will have its place there.
This 18th was in life the property of
M. Abel Hovelacque, director of the
Anthropological society, who died a
short time ago. 1t now rests, immersed
in alcohol, on the table of the dissect-
ing room, where soon will gather the
mans former comrades to weigh and
cut and probe and discuss it, and try to
pierce the mystery which it holds.
The Mutual Autopsy society was or
ganized in 1876, when several professors
and savants of the Anthropological so
ciety decided to offer themselves as ex-
amples in making sacrifice to science.
"Why," they asked one another, should
we render Immediately to earth the de-
serted mortal tenement, the study Of
which offers so vast and interesting pos
sibilities for the advancement of sci
ence?"
Another doctrine of the society is
that it would be infinitely better for
families, when an adult member died,
If he should be made the subject of
careful scientific study. In this way
the children of relatives Of the deceased
might be warned of and Taught how to
guard against hereditary naladies
which might menace them.
1t was this double point of view
scientific and humanitarian-tha
brought about the organization of the
Mutual Autopsy society. The consti-
tuition of the society is carefully drawn
and each member is obliged to sign
the following pledge.
81, the undersigned, desire and wish
that after my death an autopsy Of my
body be held under the auspices of the
Societe dAutopsie, duly authorized,
and also under those as well of the
Society for the Advancement of An
thropologjcal Science, both legally rec
ognized to be of public utility.
Therefore, for the purpose of being
useful to science, bequeath to the
laboratory of the aforesaid association
my brain and any other part of my
body, or my entire body, If that be
judged useful in the course of the au-
topsy."
Not long ago one of the societaires
resolved to commit suicide, and wrote
to the president of the association to
that effect. But at the last moment a
terrible doubt passed through his mind
as he asked himself if his wife would
be likely, after all, TO consent to his
autopsy.
He therefore drew up his last will
and testament, which stipulated that
his fortune should go to the city of
Paris in case his wife should strive to
prevent the disposition of his body as
he wished. Then he killed himself.
After his death the Mutual Autopsy So
ciety claimed his remains and had pos
session of them for short time. Then
the wife, by legal proceedings, secured
possession of what was left of her hus-
bands body and had it decently in
TERED in the provinces. The city of
Paris thereupon laid claim to the es-
tate, and the Societe d'Autopsie sued
for the recovery of the suicides brain.
Both cqels are still in the Paris courts