 | University of Virginia |  |
ANATOMY.
| Professor Christian, | Dr. Bullock, |
| Dr. Jones, | Dr. Graham. |
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. 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
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 ligaments,
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.
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.
| University of Virginia | |