Inscribed images are particularly intriguing, as they often convey students’ impressions of and feelings about dissecting class. These include photographs bearing a dedication from a son to his physician-father, as well as others bearing inscriptions alluding to mortality. Many come in the form of postcards, complete with message and postmark, indicating that this genre of photography was not entirely ‘underground.’ What do you think the postman thought about such a card and its sender? Perhaps the most incongrous variant of dissecting class image is the seasonal greeting card. These wish the recipient a Merry Christmas or Happy Easter, and feature a photograph of (presumably) the sender hard at work dissecting a cadaver.

Below we see a group of four students at dissecting table with cadaver, 1910. The legend on table reads: “Such the Vultures Love.” (Note, too, that the cadaver is clutching a femur like a club!) It was postmarked 25 March, 1910. The transcription reads: Best wishes for a happy Easter. We lost every ball game so far. Have game this p.m. Partners in picture beginning from left Green, Davis, Jones. Big time Monday. Meredith.

Many more exampled may be found in the book: Dissection: Photographs of a Rite of Passage in American Medicine 1880-1930

 

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