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In the early 19th century, body snatching was rife because the only corpses available for medical study were those of hanged murderers. With the Anatomy Act of 1832 the bodies of those who died destitute in workhouses were appropriated for dissection. This text explores this history. In the early nineteenth century, body snatching was rife because the only corpses available for medical study were those of hanged murderers. With the Anatomy Act of 1832, however, the bodies of those who died destitute in workhouses were appropriated for dissection. At a time when such a procedure was regarded with fear and revulsion, the Anatomy Act effectively rendered dissection a punishment for poverty. Providing both historical and contemporary insights, "Death, Dissection, and the Destitute" opens rich new prospects in history and history of science. The new afterword draws important parallels between social and medical history and contemporary concerns regarding organs for transplant and human tissue for research.

Body snatching --- Dead bodies (Law) --- Funeral rites and ceremonies --- Human dissection --- biomedisch, medisch-wetenschappelijk onderzoek --- lichaamsmateriaal (lichaam, menselijk lichaamsmateriaal) --- dissectie (ontleding) --- recherche biomédicale --- matériel corporel humain, (corps humain) --- dissection --- Anatomy, Practical --- Practical anatomy --- Dissection --- Funerals --- Mortuary ceremonies --- Obsequies --- Manners and customs --- Rites and ceremonies --- Burial --- Cremation --- Cryomation --- Dead --- Mourning customs --- Law --- Theft --- Law and legislation --- Great Britain --- Social conditions