Remarks of S.H. Tewksbury, M.D. on the bill for the promotion of medical science : also, an appeal to the members of the legislature in behalf of the Maine Medical Association, in the Senate chamber, Feb. 27, 1855.

  • Tewksbury, S. H. (Samuel Henry), 1819-1880.
Date:
1855
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Remarks of S.H. Tewksbury, M.D. on the bill for the promotion of medical science : also, an appeal to the members of the legislature in behalf of the Maine Medical Association, in the Senate chamber, Feb. 27, 1855. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    2-2 of the physician among the lowly and desolate; therefore, I cast back that common and infamous assertion, — You dissect the poor for the sake of the rich, when, alas! the poor are the greatest gainers. These facts and truths should cast a ray of light on the views of the reluctant and timid politician, for the class that is mainly profittcd by this bill, are the poor, and his duty is not to flatter the people, but to serve them. I have spoken of the robbing of the grave, — and upon whom do you suppose these atrocities are committed ? Whence comes the subjects that are now obtained in this State for anatomical study ? From the graves of the rich, and from the men of rank ? By no means! There are circumstances and conditions which secure him against the barker. The rich and the noble deposit the remains of their friends in vaults and cemeteries, and surround them with palings and enclosures, — cover them with marble slabs and monuments, and ornament and decorate their graves, so that they cannot be disturbed without de- tection ; therefore they are not disturbed. It is the sanc- tity of the simple and unadorned grave of the poor that is invaded by the sacriligious and ruthless hand of the resur- rectionist, The more lonely, the move wretched any human being may be, the more desirable prey is he for the burker. It is the man, — the mere naked man,— they pursue, and when dead his body is at once exposed for Burking, and perhaps for sale. Pass this bill, and supply the necessary want for anatomical science, and vesuvreetionism is destroyed,— Othello's occupation is gone. The poor are immeasurably benefitted while living, and their graves are protected when dead. This, sir, is the plain, practical, common-sense view of the certain effects of this bill, — effects as certain to follow its pas- sage, as any effects are to follow a cause. It has often been a matter of surprise to me, when I witness the charity of this State, — the wealth that is so lavishly expended in doing good in behalf of the destitute ind afflicted, that so little interest, is felt in our Mediral