300 
Zum Schlusse sprechen wir Herrn Geheimrat Professor Dr. HAssE 
und Herrn Professor Dr. SCHAPER unseren ergebensten Dank aus. 
Dieselben haben uns die Räume und das Material des Institutes bereit- 
willigst zur Verfügung gestellt und uns vielfach mit Rat unterstützt. 
Nachdruck verboten. 
Orientation of Figures in Topographical Anatomy. 
By C. M. Jackson, M.8., M.D. 
With 2 Figures. 
It requires no extended acquaintance with anatomical literature 
to recognize that considerable confusion arises from the different methods 
used to orient illustrations in topographical anatomy. I refer parti- 
cularly to figures representing cross sections through various regions 
or organs of the body. Such sections are represented, sometimes as 
viewed from above, sometimes from below. In some cases the 
ventral side of the figure is placed toward the top of the page, in 
others, the dorsal. Many authors have used sometimes one plan, 
and sometimes another, with apparently no attempt at uniformity. 
To appreciate the need of uniformity in this respect, it is neces- 
sary to bear in mind that topographical anatomy is concerned with 
the exact spatial relations of the various organs of the body. In order 
to comprehend these complicated relations, and to reconstruct men- 
tally the organs in situ, it is very desirable, if not absolutely neces- 
sary, to adopt some uniform method of representation. I have else- 
where !) draw a comparison between topographical drawings, and geo- 
graphical maps. Our ideas of geographical location as derived from 
maps would certainly be confused, if the top of the map meant some- 
times north, sometimes south, east or west. And if this be true in the 
relatively simple matter of geographical location, how much more true 
is it when applied to the complex anatomical topography! The present 
state of affairs is especially disadvantageous to the beginner, who is 
trynig to form a mental topographical image which will serve as a frame- 
work upon which to build a more detailed knowledge of the gross anıl 
microscopic anatomy of the bedy. It is therefore highly desirable 
1) A Method of Teaching Relational Anatomy. Proc. American Med. 
Assoc., St. Paul 1901. 
