Science, Medical, Anatomy, Model Specimen, Nervous System, Rufus Weaver, Antique Photograph, Philadelphia, 1888

Description

In an 1892 article for Homeopathic World one of Weaver’s contemporaries Dr. Alfred Heath described the final mounted specimen as “a marvel of patience and skill in dissection, the likes of which has never been seen before.” It reflects Weaver’s painstaking, six-month process of cutting away the flesh and preserving each individual nerve in gauze and lead-based paint. The mounted dissection received an exhibit medal and the blue-ribbon Premium Scientific Award at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The specimen’s likeness was widely circulated for educational purposes in textbooks, as well as photographic prints copyrighted and separately issued in 1888. Although fame came quickly to Dr. Weaver, it would not be until the turn of the twentieth century that the specimen would come to be known as “Harriet,” short for Harriet Cole, a custodial staff member at Hahnemann Medical College and the presumed donor of the nervous system. While little is known about Harriet Cole, her contribution to the field of neurology through her anatomical donation is now well recognized in the scientific community.

Born in 1841 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Weaver earned his medical degree from the Pennsylvania Medical College in 1865 and continued his education with courses on anatomy and clinical medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Weaver joined Hahnemann Medical College in 1879 as a Demonstrator and Lecturer of Anatomy. In this capacity, Dr. Weaver was exposed to numerous partial dissections of the nervous system and became convinced of the need for creating an educational specimen displaying the nervous system in its entirety. This inspired his crowning achievement, the creation of the world’s first complete dissection and mounting of the cerebrospinal human nervous system. The original specimen survives in Drexel University in Pennsylvania, now referred to as “Harriet” after the human donor Harriet Cole. In addition to his contributions to the fields of anatomy and neurology, Dr. Weaver is remembered for his work in identifying the remains of fallen Confederate soldiers at his hometown of Gettysburg to assist in efforts to exhume and repatriate remains to the South after the end of the Civil War.

In the human nervous system, nerves serve like cables that conduct electrical impulses between the brain and the rest of the body. These impulses help carry sensations and move muscles. They also maintain certain autonomic functions such as breathing, sweating, and digesting food. Anatomically, nerves are comprised of several elements. Axons are cord-like groups of fibers, in the center of the nerve. Dendrites are branches that carry electrical impulses in the nerve. The endoneurium, is a layer of connective tissue surrounding axons.

Condition: Generally very good with the usual overall light toning, wear, handling. Slight waviness to the thick paper.

References:

Bradford, Thomas Lindsley. History of the Homoeopathic Medical College of Pennsylvania: the Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital of Philadelphia. (Philadelphia: Boericke & Tafel), 690. 1898.

Dimuro, Gina. “Harriet Cole Donated Her Body to Science—And Had Her Entire Nervous System Removed.” All That’s Interesting. 23 July 2018. https://allthatsinteresting.com/harriet-cole (6 September 2024).

Dunnell, Tony. “The Nervous System of Harriet Cole.” Atlas Obscura. 6 March 2018. https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-nervous-system-of-harriet-cole-philadelphia-pennsylvania (6 September 2024).

Grimm, Lisa. “From the Collections: Harriet.” Drexel University Legacy Center. February 2010. https://drexel.edu/legacy-center/blog/overview/2010/february/from-the-collections-harriet/ (6 September 2024).

McNaughton, Alaina. “Dissecting Harriet Cole: Uncovering Women’s History in the Archives.” Drexel University Legacy Center. November 2018. https://drexel.edu/legacy-center/blog/overview/2018/november/dissecting-harriet-cole-uncovering-womens-history-in-the-archives/ (6 September 2024).

Nwaogbe, Chidinma, Schmidt, Cameron, and R. Shane Tubbs. “Dr. Rufus B. Weaver and his intriguing dissection of Harriet Cole.” Translational Research in Anatomy. March 2018. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214854X17300250 (6 September 2024).

“Rufus Weaver.” Drexel University Legacy Center. https://drexel.edu/legacy-center/the-collections/exhibits/professors-from-the-past/rufus-weaver/ (6 September 2024).