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First-hand, every session that involved cadavers during medical school was very respectful. We were told not to take photos as well. Worst part was the smell of

First-hand, every session that involved cadavers during medical school was very respectful. We were told not to take photos as well. Worst part was the smell of formalin. Humour is fine, assuming the person/cadaver would have been okay with it (and quite a few of the older patients I've met joke about their mortality). But I would rather be respectful and play it safe.

criddell 4y ago
Does very respectful mean no dark humor?
- mattkrause 4y ago
  My experience was that boisterous shenanigans, like juggling testicles or something, would absolutely not have been tolerated. Indeed, the mood was somber/business-like enough that no one even dared. On the other hand, a whispered inoffensive remark to your lab partner would be okay. Something this like this would probably be okay: -- "Be careful not to nick the nerve as you <whatever>" -- "Opps! Better now? -- "Yes. In fairness, it's not her biggest problem right now"
bookofjoe 4y ago
Yes — the smell of the formalin! In 1970-71, my first year at UCLA med school, we spent four (4) hours 4 (four) days a week in the gross anatomy lab. First semester was below the neck, second semester just the head and neck. Fascinating; I enjoyed everything about dissecting our (4 students/body) corpse. The only bad thing was the smell of the formalin: it was SO strong that my eyes would water every session: they/I never got used to it. My "Grant's Anatomy" textbook, which was propped up on the cadaver tank every session to guide me, still stunk of formalin 40+ years later, so much so that much as I enjoyed having it as a memory of something I did that was really hard, I threw it away around 2010 because it made every closet or cabinet or drawer I put it in reek. I suspect ventilation in the dissection room (120 students/30 cadavers) 52 years ago was WAY worse than it is today. I'm surprised I'm not brain dead from inhaling superstrong formalin vapor 16 hours/week x 16 weeks/semester x 2 semesters = for roughly 500 hours that year. Maybe I am brain dead!
type0 4y ago
> Worst part was the smell of formalin. You should eat Serrano ham sandwich afterwards, that just about cures it /s
- thomasfedb 4y ago
  The formalin smell and hunger are such a weird trip in the lab. Good lunch before was key in my opinion.

criddell 4y ago

Does very respectful mean no dark humor?

mattkrause 4y ago
My experience was that boisterous shenanigans, like juggling testicles or something, would absolutely not have been tolerated. Indeed, the mood was somber/business-like enough that no one even dared. On the other hand, a whispered inoffensive remark to your lab partner would be okay. Something this like this would probably be okay: -- "Be careful not to nick the nerve as you <whatever>" -- "Opps! Better now? -- "Yes. In fairness, it's not her biggest problem right now"

bookofjoe 4y ago

Yes — the smell of the formalin! In 1970-71, my first year at UCLA med school, we spent four (4) hours 4 (four) days a week in the gross anatomy lab. First semester was below the neck, second semester just the head and neck. Fascinating; I enjoyed everything about dissecting our (4 students/body) corpse. The only bad thing was the smell of the formalin: it was SO strong that my eyes would water every session: they/I never got used to it. My "Grant's Anatomy" textbook, which was propped up on the cadaver tank every session to guide me, still stunk of formalin 40+ years later, so much so that much as I enjoyed having it as a memory of something I did that was really hard, I threw it away around 2010 because it made every closet or cabinet or drawer I put it in reek. I suspect ventilation in the dissection room (120 students/30 cadavers) 52 years ago was WAY worse than it is today. I'm surprised I'm not brain dead from inhaling superstrong formalin vapor 16 hours/week x 16 weeks/semester x 2 semesters = for roughly 500 hours that year. Maybe I am brain dead!

type0 4y ago

> Worst part was the smell of formalin. You should eat Serrano ham sandwich afterwards, that just about cures it /s

thomasfedb 4y ago
The formalin smell and hunger are such a weird trip in the lab. Good lunch before was key in my opinion.