University of Virginia Library

ANATOMY.

Professor Christian.

Descriptive Anatomy.—The instruction is given by didactic lectures,
combined with the course of Practical Anatomy as taught in the Dissecting
Hall. The endeavor throughout is to render the teaching as completely
practical as possible; no statement is made that is not illustrated by its exhibition,
either on the actual dissection or on the preparation of a dissection,
the effort being to convey knowledge by the so-called natural method—that
is, by mental imagery formed by repeated observations of nature. This is
accomplished by exhibiting to the student and requiring him to handle the
dissected parts and preparations made therefrom. The equipment of the
School for this purpose is most ample.

Practical Anatomy.—For this course dissecting material, obtained under
the permissive law of the State, is abundantly supplied without cost to the
student. Attendance in the dissecting-room is compulsory, a strict record
being kept in the case of each student. Besides the ordinary oral and written
examinations, each student is required to stand eight practical examinations—one
upon osteology, four upon different parts of the muscular system,
one on the viscera, one on the ligaments, and one on the vessels and nerves.
These examinations are oral and private, each student being questioned
alone. They consist in the identification of the truths of anatomy on the
bones, and the dissected cadaver, and are thus a perfect test of the student's
acquaintance with the gross structure of the human body.

Regional Anatomy.—This subject is taught to second-course students by
the same practical methods as are described above.