AustLit

Epigraph: In return for his speculations on the state of the prisoner, the latter on the scaffold bequeathed his body to the Professor. The Professor, having expressed himself in common with other medical men to the effect that extensive lesion of the brain would on a post-mortem examination certainly be disclosed, watched the gaol authorities, got access to the prisoner's body after execution, and made off with his head to the University rooms. The gaol surgeons were in consternation, and appealed to the Sherriff. The Sheriff appealed to the Attorney-General and the Minister of Justice. Law and justice were for a moment at fault, for larceny, or trover, or detinue for brains (so perishable an article) was rather a ridiculous and embarrassing subject for a Government prosecution, At lenght it was determined that the Sheriff, accompanied by a justice of peace and by a policeman, should proceed forthwith to the University, and demand the brains. The Times (London), 18 October, 1864