Remarks on the question, are there any circumstances in which the lifting of the dead is justifiable? / by Aliquis.

  • Aliquis.
Date:
1824
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks on the question, are there any circumstances in which the lifting of the dead is justifiable? / by Aliquis. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    peril of his life, and which law would instantaneously impel you to leap over the fence, and rescue him from destruc- tion. Perhaps it may be said, that admitting the validity of this reasoning, what connection has it with the question ? The answer will be found in our reply to the next assertion, i. e. it is unjustifiable to lift the dead in any circumstances, be- cause the dissection of the human body is not necessary. Our opponents hesitate not to affirm, that the only reason which can be assigned for human dissection is, that were there no subjects there would be no lectures, and were there no lectures there would be no fees. It is possible that those who use this language intend only to excite laughter, for we know that ridicule is a sine qua non with many on all occasions; but judging from cir- cumstances, it is our opinion, that they are serious in be- lieving this concatenation of consequences, and they plume themselves in having discovered the secret, probably with as much elation as was indicated by the renowned Mun- chausen, when, at a single shot, he transfixed a whole flock of geese with his ramrod. To every one, however, who is capable of reflection, it is obvious that the language to which we have alluded, belongs more to that species of eloquence called mock oratory, than to any thing having the semblance of dispassionate investigation. To those who have a knowledge of anatomy, it will appear as much a work of supererogation on our part, were we to say much concern- ing the necessity of a correct anatomical knowledge in every surgical practitioner, as if we were to demonstrate that the whole is greater than a part. But it is frequently asserted, that accurate anatomical knowledge, on the part of surgical practitioners, is not necessary. Be it so. Suppose then, the case of a person, who has had the misfortune to get a bone, or other hard substance, into his gullet, and that it has been impeded in his oesophagus. Suppose, also, that a prac- titioner is sent for, who is ignorant of anatomy ; if he fails in the attempt to take out the obstructing substance, as a der- \