The end of the sacred ritual of anatomy

The positivist histories of anatomy that we currently have give very little account of the nature of the anatomical demonstration of the middle ages and early modern period. I propose here that it is helpful to look at the anatomical demonstration as a ritual, as well as a teaching event. Moreover, I propose that the ritual had sacred purposes, in that it was dedicated to celebrating the providence and workmanship of God in the high point of His creation, the body of man. Finally I give some account of the conditions under which this sacred ritual of anatomy lost its functions with the coming of the modern era.