§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether it is a fact that subjects for dissection are supplied to the Queen's College, Cork, from the Cork District Lunatic Asylum; and, if so, whether it 743 has been done with the sanction of the Board of Governors; and, if such be the case, what was the total number supplied during the College Sessions 1881–2 and 1882–3, and the average expense of each?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe hon. Member is, no doubt, aware that the difficult subject of the supply of anatomical subjects for the purposes of Schools of Anatomy is strictly regulated by statute, and that Inspectors of Anatomy are appointed to insure that the law is complied with the rules for the management of district lunatic asylums require that on the death of a patient immediate notice should be given to the relatives of the deceased, in order that the body may be removed for interment. In the case of unclaimed bodies only the Governors have authority to authorize anatomical examinations if they see fit. In all cases remains are subsequently removed for interment in consecrated ground, as required by the statute, and certificates to that effect forwarded by the Inspector of Anatomy. I have satisfied myself that the law is fully complied with at Cork. But the subject is one with regard to which the law, while requiring for the protection of the public that particulars shall be regularly laid before Government, does not require the publication of details; and I do not think details should be given in Parliament. I trust the hon. Member will not press his inquiries.
§ MR. HEALYasked, whether he was right in understanding that the right hon. Gentleman declined to say whether the bodies of these unfortunate deceased Irish lunatics were given over for dissection? He presumed that the right hon. Gentleman considered such a practice scandalous.
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!
§ MR. ARTHUR O'CONNORWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Cork District Lunatic Asylum receives any money consideration for the bodies of lunatics?
§ [No reply.]