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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

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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. Particular attention is called to the
fact that in describing the more minute anatomical structures—such
as brain, cranial nerves, etc.—cuts and diagrams
are not relied upon, as is too often the case, but
careful dissections are yearly made and demonstrated to
the class.

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. Every student is
required to dissect on all parts of the human body. Two
subjects are dissected: the first for muscles and fascias; the
second for arteries and nerves. Not more than five dissecting
clubs (of eight men each) are admitted to the hall at
one time. A Demonstrator for each club superintends the
dissections, directing the work of the individual student;
and, afterwards, accurately and carefully explaining every
dissection to his club. After this careful preparation,
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 ligraments, and
one on the vessels and nerves. These examinations are
oral and private, each student being questioned alone, and
required not only to state the origin and insertion of muscles,
the beginning, termination and relations of blood vessels,
nerves, etc., but to point out or demonstrate each fact.
They are thus a perfect test of the student's practical
acquaintance with the gross structure of the human body.

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

The important bony landmarks, lines of blood vessels,
nerves and muscles are carefully described and their positions
verified by dissections made before the class. Special
attention is paid to the study of the landmarks of the skull,
neck, chest and abdomen, and all the structures in, or bearing
relation to, the more important joints. Inguinal and
femoral hernia, the perineum and pelvis, are described
with special reference to the surgery of these parts. Cross
sections of the upper and lower extremities and the neck,
are made at different levels and described to the students
who are afterwards required to stand practical examinations
on these parts. The course, in fact, is a comprehensive
review of the facts taught in Descriptive Anatomy but
with special reference to their application to Medicine and
Surgery.