Part 13

1832 The Anatomy Act, after Burke and Hare scandals. “Burke Hare too!”

1836 Registration of “the cause of death” introduced.

Sir Dominic Corrigan’s clause as to fact of death: “As I am informed” (1874).

1837 The Medical Witnesses Remuneration Act allows fees for medical evidence at inquests; inquests and autopsies increase, pathology advances.

1843 Swaine Taylor’s Manual of Medical Jurisprudence (Principles and Practice, 1865).

Rules as to the test of criminal responsibility of the insane (McNaughten’s case).

1844 Rudolph Virchow’s Die Sections-Tecknik commenced.

1845 Telegraph first used for arrest of a prisoner (Tawell).

1846 Anæsthetics introduced. “Gentlemen! Here is no humbug!”

1848 The first Public Health Act.

1851 Stas devises his process to detect poisoning by alkaloids (nicotine).

1857 Lord Chief Justice Cockburn discredits microscopical evidence.

1858 “Railway shock” appears.

The Medical Act registers medical practitioners.

1862 Hoppe-Seyler suggests medico-legal use of the spectroscope (Muller’s case, 1864).

1863 Photography applied to surgery. (1871, criminals photographed).

1864 Listerism introduced.

1868 Crown Office (Scotland) memorandum for medico-legal examination of dead bodies (revised 1897).

1883 Bertillonage employed (France).

1879 The first Inebriates Act.

1886 The triple qualification necessary.

1887 Retford ptomaine poisoning.

1888 Witnesses emancipated from “kissing the Book.”

1893 Phonograph heard in the Chancery Division.

Report on Death Certification.

1896 Skiagram of ankle produced in an action for damages.

1897 Finger-print records recognized (India).

1897 Cinematograph used in Medicine.