Anatomy and embryology in medical education at Cambridge University, 1866-1900

Abstract

Introduction: The teaching of anatomy remains controversial to the present day. This paper explores the arguments over its merits in medical and scientific education at one of the ancient universities.

History: Medical professors at Cambridge University relied upon the science departments to provide basic scientific instruction, whilst science professors relied upon medical students to make up numbers for their courses.

Discussion: Human anatomy became a source of contention: did it really educate the mind, or was it simply a dry subject that medical students had to learn by rote? Could the university even cater for professional education?