''Death by Dissection''

By Crusader1307

While one would not associate Medical Research with Punishment and (let alone) Execution – ‘’Death by Dissection’’ (performed by a real Doctor), was a common method of punishment in 16^th Century England. The Act was actually still in use by the mid-19^th Century before being abolished. And while a Convict was NOT living when the ‘’procedure’’ was performed, it was meant to defile the body AFTER death. Similar to a form of ‘’Posthumous Execution’’, Dissection was done after hanging by a Surgeon – often in Public view and at The Gallows. Once ‘’hacked and diced’’, the Convicted was still not allowed peace. The remains (what was left), were often either left to rot or where burned – with their ashes scattered. In a more ‘’rationale’’ sense, dissection of convicted persons who died in Prison were routinely ‘’given’’ to Medical Colleges for Students to ‘’practice with’’. By he 1860s, ‘’Death  (which in the terminology meant ‘’Spiritual Death’’) by Dissection’’ was ended as an official Legal Practice.