INTRODUCTION , 



HISTORY OF ANATOMY. 



ALL that we propose, under the present head, is simply 

 to give a very brief outline of the Art of Dissection, for 

 the purpose of showing, by way of contrast, its past and 

 present state. 



The Art of Dissection appears to be of great antiquity, it 

 being the custom to sacrifice animals to the Deity, some 

 parts being set aside for the sacrifice, and others for the use 

 of the priests. It hence became necessary to discriminate, 

 or distinguish the one from the other. This kind of know- 

 ledge, however, belonged to Comparative Anatomy, and at 

 that day was mostly confined to the butchers. 



It is supposed that the cruel custom of human sacrifices 

 originated the first information we have of the human body; 

 for in such cases it was necessary that some knowledge of 

 the internal structure of the human frame should be ac- 

 quired by the priests, that they might properly conduct 

 such ceremony. 



The first attempt at making Anatomy a science, is ascribed 

 to Pythagoras, and Tholes of Miletum, about 700 years before 

 Christ, who, we are told, made it a part of their studies. 

 Empedocles, about 100 years after this, showed considerable 

 Anatomical knowledge, especially in reference to the coddea 

 and tube of the ear. 



The first who dissected animals, with a view to learning 

 their internal structure, was Alcmeeon, a disciple of Py- 

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