A very tricky subject. We’d have taken a long, long time to discover and understand the workings of the human body without subjects to dissect. On the other hand, the removal of human remains without consent is unacceptable. At least the 1832 Anatomical Act was, I believe, supposed to ensure consent was given before bodies were used for anatomical dissection. But something tells me many places - especially workhouses - might well have been remiss in following the advice.
In one year in London the number of cadavers for dissection were between 450-500. By the 1820/30s there were shortages of cadavers and the number of trainee surgeons was rising. A trainee surgeon would perform around three dissections during training. Multiplied by the number of medical schools and it amounts to a significant number of human remains being used.
I wondered how many of the burials at Park Street showed signs of dissection. Don’t think it was mentioned, unless I missed it. But presumably they’d all have finally been buried in the poorer, northern end of the burial ground. And were many linked to nearby Lichfield Street workhouse ? Are there any records from the workhouse ? We may never know. Such a pity, and as Pedrocut says, the humans who gave their bodies to progressing medical research should also be properly recognised. They’re no small number either. Viv