I CO 



RISE OF THE RESURRECTIONISTS IN GREAT BRITAIN 121 



away with it. Sometimes, preliminary financial sparring developed 

 between the man in charge of the dissecting-room and the resur- 

 rectionists, rather than the professor and the latter. Eventually, 

 the pedagogue might be informed indirectly that 50 pounds was 

 being demanded before the professional body snatchers would 

 agree to provide any subjects. This might be exacted under the 

 guise that it was necessary to reimburse a watchman, whose as- 

 sistance was required during the removals from the burial 

 grounds. If a leader was successful in this extortionate plan at a 

 half-dozen anatomical establishments, his gang was assured of 

 getting off to a flying start. 



The resurrectionists also worked on the other end of the 

 line, that is, they demanded finishing money, or a bonus fee, to 

 be paid at the end of the dissecting session. The amount demanded 

 depended principally upon the quality of the services performed. 



If the cadaver supply was shut-off, for any reason, the stu- 

 dents would become dissatisfied; they might hold meetings de- 

 ciding to send a delegation to the professor launching a complaint 

 against the insufficiency. Threatening letters were also written 

 anonymously by them stating they were planning on leaving for 

 the Continent en masse or accusing him of inactivity, obstinacy 

 and even parsimony. 



The physical condition of a cadaver was of some importance 

 in respect to the price paid. If a body was sold before it was buried, 

 there was extra money in the seller's pocket. It was natural, 

 therefore, that grave robbers would be on the alert to steal this 

 type of specimen. 



More frequently, however, the body snatchers were ultra- 

 watchful for any dying person who was friendless, homeless and 

 penniless. They would spend hours studying the history of each 

 case and would even go to the extreme of trying to personify the 

 one last spoken of by the deceased, which would allow them an 

 entree into the death chamber, whether in home or hospital. 

 Sometimes, this would be done by enlisting the aid of a female ac- 

 complice, without whom, it might have been impossible. They 

 Itentimes took into partnership with them lower class under- 

 ^kers whose task was to substitute clay, wood or stone in the 

 casket, replacing the body. This involved fee-splitting. 



