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  • In pictures

Exposing the secrets of the human body

Scientists, artists, and philosophers have long studied our anatomy to try to discover what it means to be human.

  • Article

Beating the bodysnatchers

When a rise in grave robbing called for strong measures, mortsafes became the unassailable solution. Allison C. Meier explores.

  • Article

Printing the body

The 18th century saw multiple technical developments in both printing and medicine. Colourful collaborations ensued – to the benefit of growing ranks of medical students.

  • Article

Getting under the skin

Before the invention of X-ray in 1895 there was really only one way to accurately study the human body, and that was to cut it open.

All stories (10)

Images

  • Eleventh International Congress of Anatomists: twelve delegates. Process print after A. Breaz(?), 1932.
  • Ancient anatomists in discussion around a cadaver. Engraving by G. Appelmans, 1674.
  • M0006898: A man standing next to a covered body in an anatomists studio
  • An anatomy theatre with statues of the anatomists Vesalius and Spigelius; a corpse on a table in the background. Engraving, 1672.
  • Two anatomists dissecting a corpse, surrounded by birds, a cat, a dog and mice. Etching by S. Ireland after J. H. Mortimer, 17--.
  • William Pitt the younger and his ministers as anatomists dissecting the body of the Prince of Wales; representing Pitt's reduction of the powers of the regent. Coloured etching by Thomas Rowlandson, 1788/1789.
  • William Pitt the younger and his ministers as anatomists dissecting the body of the Prince of Wales; representing Pitt's reduction of the powers of the regent. Coloured etching by Thomas Rowlandson, 1788/1789.
  • Bartholinus anatomy; made from the precepts of his father, and from the observations of all modern anatomists, together with his own ... In four books and four manuals answering to the said books / ... Published by Nich. Culpeper and Abdiah Cole.
  • Bartholinus anatomy; made from the precepts of his father, and from the observations of all modern anatomists, together with his own ... In four books and four manuals answering to the said books / ... Published by Nich. Culpeper and Abdiah Cole.
  • Bartholinus anatomy; made from the precepts of his father, and from the observations of all modern anatomists, together with his own ... In four books and four manuals answering to the said books / ... Published by Nich. Culpeper and Abdiah Cole.
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