White's Anatomy

Scientific Reference

This controversial work was another of the University of Karradone's major works, originally produced at the end of the fourth century, during what many consider the height of the University's influence. Named not for any particular author - like other reference books this one was written by a half-dozen faculty - but instead for the plain white leather cover that the University used - bearing only the word "Anatomy", the book was nearly banned before it began. In order to properly understand the workings of the Human body, the faculty reasoned, one had examine it - both inside and out. As such, the faculty began to dissect the bodies graciously donated by the Karradone Sentinels. Word of this arrangement spread and soon the gossip at Imperial Palace was all about how the poor were being arrested, summarily executed, and then eviscerated in some sort of horrible ritual at the University. It took an Imperial visit to the laboratory during one of these dissections to dispel these fears and allow work to proceed. Even so, the book was denounced by a number of major religions, including the church of Arimathica and was immediately outlawed in the Grand Duchy of His Lord Mennith.

Like other University reference works, White's Anatomy has undergone several revisions and expansions since its initial publication. Most notably, the first edition studied human anatomy. Subsequent versions have been expanded to include research into the anatomies of other common Races of Tarien such as Khadra, Ork, Dharja and even Soulmeliti. Other races, such as Tzecheni'korak and Elynthi have been excluded only because of the difficulty in acquiring sufficient cadavers for dissection and research. Most non-human races have generally been displeased with their inclusion in the work. Soulmeliti outlaw the work in their Forests on the basis that the dissection desecrates the soul of the departed. Similiarly, Khadra find it an affront to Kharl and refuse to print the book on their Printing Press, meaning that every volume of the work has been meticulously copied by hand. This is not, according the University faculty, as bad as it might seem. Given the diagrams and illustrations in the work, the act of making a copy - something that students are required to do as part of their curriculum - helps with process of learning.

Type

Manual, Scientific

Authoring Date

399 AC