168 HUMAN DISSECTION. ITS DRAMA AND STRUGGLE 



In manner, he was suave and full of pleasantry; his voice was 

 gentle and well-modulated and his ready, persuasive tongue cap- 

 tured all the members of his audience who could appreciate ex- 

 cellent speech. 



Lecturing was performed by Knox in full dress. At such 

 times, he wore a black coat, a showy vest embroidered with rich 

 purple, a high, white cravat, the folds of which passed through a 

 diamond ring, a conspicuous shirt collar, delicately folded linen 

 over the front of his shirt, watch-seals and pendants. Across his 

 chest, dangled an ornate, gold chain. All this was set off by dark 

 trousers and shining boots. His entire regalia provided a sharp con- 

 trast to the osseous forms and decaying specimens around him. 



As far as the majority of students were concerned, Knox had 

 no real competitors as a teacher in the Edinburgh medical schools. 

 It was recognized that his style, his appearance, the illustrations 

 he used and his extraordinary powers of speech added up to a 

 fascinating presentation of the subject of anatomy and that he 

 invested it with the loftiest aims. 



Over a nine-year period, from 1826 to 1835, his classes 

 averaged 335 students, and during the session of 1828-1829 he 

 had 504. They were the largest ever assembled in Britain. Since 

 his lecture room held a maximum of 200 pupils, he was obliged 

 to give the same address three times a day. So interested, however, 

 was Knox with his duties that it fatigued him not at all. He 

 sought popularity and it came to him in abundance. It was known 

 that he practiced his lectures beforehand. The bulk of his stu- 

 dents were medical but intermixed with these were barristers, 

 scholars, mathematicians, advocates and clergymen. On occasion, 

 there were also noblemen, artists and men of letters in attendance. 

 His students became known as "Knoxites," men of intelligence, 

 who were naturally attracted to such a man of talent; many be- 

 came outstanding in the medical field and held important posts 

 in the various medical societies then extant. 



This is a brief description of the man who became involved 

 in the murders of Burke and Hare and whose name mingled in- 

 timately with theirs after their deeds became known. His char- 

 acter was defamed on every hand by all means of communication. 

 An infuriated mob, made up of the lowest rabble of the town, who, 



