Before 1832 dissection was a feared and hated punishment for murder. The 1832 Anatomy Act requisitioned instead the corpses of the poor, transferring the penalty from murder to poverty. The Anatomy Act contributed to the terrible fear of the Victorian workhouse and influences attitudes towards death even today. This is an unputdownable analysis which draws on many disciplines to explore the fundamental issues of folklore and science, life and death and the political struggles surrounding ownership of the body in the 19th century. 'This is a heartfelt dilemma whose history is movingly explored...Passionate, powerful and elegant.' - Roy Porter, "Guardian".
- ISBN10 0710209193
- ISBN13 9780710209191
- Publish Date 14 January 1988
- Publish Status Out of Print
- Out of Print 8 November 2009
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Taylor & Francis Ltd
- Imprint Routledge
- Edition New edition
- Format Hardcover
- Pages 288
- Language English