Stereoscopic Studies of Anatomy

While stereographic photography had been well received and popularized soon after its discovery in the 1850s, its use as an educational tool had not been fully promoted and utilized until late in the century. The Edinburgh Stereographic Anatomy, which was first published by the T.C. & E.C. Jack Company in 1905, sought to fill that void for medical education. Given its reputation, members of the anatomy faculty of the University of Edinburgh were approached to undertake the project. Departmental chairman Daniel Cunningham (1850-1909), best known for his Textbook of Anatomy and Manual of Practical Anatomy, was given overall authority in its preparation, with lecturer David Waterson the editor. Dr. Cunningham had a particular interest in the study of the human skull, brain and thorax, which undoubtedly played a factor in choosing it as the first chapter to be released. Later editions of this work, including this set published by the Imperial Publishing Company in New York, had the section on the brain and central nervous system as the fourth of five parts.