Anatomy specimens reveal story of infanticide, stillbirth and poverty

Study of 18th and 19th century infant anatomy specimens in UK museums and teaching collections reveals a tragic and sometimes dubious historyThe dubious means by which 18th and 19th century anatomists obtained the bodies of babies and infants to dissect has been revealed in a study by two Cambridge scientists.Specimens procured as a result of grave-robbing, infanticide or mothers so poor they were prepared to sell their dead babies, ended up in many museums of anatomy, including the collection of Cambridge University. In a new study, Piers Mitchell and Jenna Dittmar, of the Cambridge Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, reveal that the little bodies were obtained with considerable difficulty, but were regarded as precious- a way of demonstrating human growth and development - and treated with great care to preserve them for display and teaching. The research is published this week in the Journal of Anatomy. Continue reading...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Human biology Anatomy and physiology Science Museums UK news Source Type: news