DISSECTION IN MEDICAL SCHOOLS OF NEW ENGLAND 213 



E. Vermont Medical College at Woodstock— A.D. 1827 to 1856 



This institution, located temporarily in southern Vermont, 

 had trouble in getting organized; some citizens opposed the 

 founding because they felt it would lead to grave robbing in the 

 region. The issue of the charter was delayed when applied for in 

 1827. It was "hindered by prejudiced or inimical persons; no 

 nearer patronage could be procured than that of the college at 

 Waterville in the state of Maine" (Waite, '45c). Degrees were not 

 issued until 1830 so the school was academically impeded for 

 two years. 



When it was announced in July of 1829 that it would reopen, 

 an endeavor was made by the faculty to reassure the public as 

 follows: "We pledge ourselves to the community that we will not 

 use or suffer to be used in any manner as far as may come to our 

 knowledge any human body that may have been disinterred here- 

 abouts; it may appear invidious to set limits but we are willing 

 to say the state of Vermont. We are well assured of obtaining com- 

 petency of the means from remote parts and in a manner that 

 ever will be justified by the well-informed and judicious part of 

 the community" (Waite, '45c). They agreed to name three promi- 

 nent citizens who would be allowed access to the medical build- 

 ing at any time. This promise may have been written with one 

 eye directed toward the New Hampshire border which was only 

 thirteen miles away. Graves could be pilfered in the adjacent 

 state with impunity because the sheriff there had no authority in 

 Vermont. 



One year later, 1830, Woodstock became implicated in an 

 episode involving the disappearance of the body of Polly Cham- 

 berlain from her grave in Barnard, ten miles distant. When the 

 loss was discovered, irate citizens marched on the medical school, 

 searched the premises, but were unable to find what they were 

 ^looking for. Because of circumstantial evidence, four students 

 ^ere arrested, then taken to Barnard for questioning by the 

 justice of peace. Two were released, the other pair being held for 

 ial in the County Court at Woodstock on June 10, 1830. The 

 ial was continued from early morning until 11:00 p.m., in 

 jam-packed courtroom. The verdict rendered was not guilty. 



