University of Virginia Library

ANATOMY.

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 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 thereform. 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
nine practical examinations, one upon osteology, four upon different
parts of the muscular system, two 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.

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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 of the neck are made at different levels
and described to the student, 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.