172 HUMAN DISSECTION. ITS DRAMA AND STRUGGLE 



to dissection of three times as many subjects as were required for 

 the purposes of science. Wakley advocated that unclaimed bodies 

 be appropriated and made available for anatomical dissection, and 

 that executed criminals be divorced from it, because this tradi- 

 tion had superadded to the popular, natural aversion to dissec- 

 tion by placing a definite stigma upon it. 



In respect to the fate of Burke and Hare, and their two fe- 

 male partners, justice moved speedily. The court, since it had 

 nothing more than circumstantial evidence against them, offered 

 immunity to the least guilty of the pair, namely Hare, providing 

 he turned state's evidence. This, he did. It was Burke alone who 

 was found guilty; both women were freed. 



The Lord Chief Justice in the notorious case passed sentence 

 as follows: "In regard to your case, the only doubt that has crossed 

 my mind is whether your body should not be exhibited in chains, 

 in order to deter others from like crimes in the future. But taking 

 into consideration that the public eye would be offended with so 

 dismal an exhibition, I am disposed to agree that your sentence 

 shall be execution in the usual way, but accompanied with the 

 statement of the punishment of the crime of murder . . . that your 

 body shall be publicly dissected and anatomized. And I trust that, 

 if it is ever customary to preserve skeletons, yours shall be pre- 

 served in order that posterity may keep in remembrance your 

 atrocious crimes" (Guttmacher, '35). 



Before his death, Burke made a full written confession which 

 completely exonerated Dr. Robert Knox. 



The hanging of Burke attracted nationwide attention and 

 was witnessed by about 25,000 people. As the trap was sprung, a 

 fearful yell was sent up by the excited multitude. After death 

 was pronounced, the body was removed to the anatomical rooms 

 of Dr. Monro III, Professor of Anatomy, at the University of 

 Edinburgh. The same afternoon, he gave a lecture on it, after first 

 removing the head of the executed man. This part of the cere- 

 mony was so popular that admittance was regulated by ticket for 

 students of the teacher's regular class. After the reserved seats were 

 occupied, those from other medical schools flocked in until the 

 amphitheatre was filled. A large number of people assembled out- 

 side, clamoring for admission. To pacify and prevent them from 



