The First Form of Dissection

Vivisections

Vivisections were used to study anatomy and physiology. While human cadavers were also dissected, the use of animals for teaching and experimentation was more common. The first vivisections began around 300 BC conducted by Aristotle, as well as Galen. Galen proclaimed that he dissected animals on a daily basis throughout his career to enhance his surgical skills and learn about the human body. It is said that his description of the human body was very misunderstood as he based the description of the uterus based on dogs, the kidneys from his research on pigs, and the brain for his research on cows and goats.

A vivisection being performed on a pig.

There was a theatrical aspect of these vivisections because witnessing the dissection of a human cadaver was a highly desirable event. Large numbers of students would gather to witness a vivisection in order to learn. At this time, it is said that people believed that animals were incapable of feeling pain and, therefore, it was moral and more common for the dissection of animals to occur.

The tools that would be utilized during a vivisection.

Moral Reservations about Vivisections

Although vivisections were allowed in the College of Physicians by nobility, it was still clear that many had their reservations about them. Dissecting live animals did not seem too problematic, but dissecting living humans was always tense. Thus, several rules were created to assuage guilt over them. For one, it was made clear that any performing human vivisections outside the College of Physicians could be subject to a harsh penalty. Then, the number of human vivisections allowed at the College were limited by the kings and queens, themselves. For example, Queen Elizabeth granted them permission to use four criminals a year whereas King Charles I later increased the amount to six. Finally, after the vivisections the bodies were shown respect and had to be given a proper burial. Additionally, the College made their vivisections, particularly on people, very secret by regulating the rooms where they were done and only allowing professionals and royalty to watch.