In response to a limited supply of legally sourced cadavers for anatomical study, educators in British and early American anatomy institutions faced ethical dilemmas. This situation led them to make questionable decisions as they sought adequate materials for their teaching and research needs. The struggles they encountered highlighted the lengths to which they would go to secure bodies for dissection.

The practices adopted during this time reflect a broader tension between the demands of medical education and the moral implications of obtaining human remains. These actions reveal how the pursuit of knowledge can sometimes conflict with societal and ethical standards, prompting instructors to navigate a complex landscape in their efforts to educate future medical professionals.