| The pornographic anatomy book? The curious tale of the Anatomical Basis of Medical Practice. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19174685 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Studying the history of medical education helps teach us that medicine is a social activity that occurs in the context of social mores and customs. In 1971, a major new anatomy textbook aimed at first-year medical students was published. The Anatomical Basis of Medical Practice, written by Professors R. Frederick Becker, James S. W. Wilson, and John A. Gehweiler, emphasized surface anatomy, embryology, and radiographic anatomy. At multiple places in the text, the authors used sexually suggestive and "cheeky" comments about women. A small fraction of the illustrations were stylized, posed female nude photographs purchased from California photographer Peter Gowland. These photographs, of a type typically seen in Playboy centerfolds or "pin-up girl" calendars, produced a firestorm of controversy. The book was criticized in the press and in reviews in scholarly journals, and a boycott was organized by the Association of Women in Science. The publisher received negative feedback from consumers, and the book was withdrawn from the market. The book is now a minor collector's item. Professors Becker and Wilson vigorously responded. They laid blame for the debacle on the publisher and also claimed they were the victims of a witch hunt by feminists. The Anatomical Basis of Medical Practice appeared as the women's movement became part of the American popular consciousness. It was also an era in which the public began to grapple with how to define pornography. Professor Becker and his coauthors thought that they were writing a witty, engaging, and funny book. Their detractors thought the book denigrated women. |
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Authors:
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Edward C Halperin |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Historical Article; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Academic medicine : journal of the Association of American Medical Colleges Volume: 84 ISSN: 1938-808X ISO Abbreviation: Acad Med Publication Date: 2009 Feb |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2009-01-28 Completed Date: 2009-02-13 Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8904605 Medline TA: Acad Med Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 278-83 Citation Subset: AIM; IM |
Affiliation:
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Medical Education, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky 40202, USA. edward.halperin@louisville.edu |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Education, Medical, Undergraduate
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ethics* Erotica / history* Ethics, Professional Female Feminism / history History, 20th Century Humans Male Medical Illustration / history Professional Competence Sexual Harassment / history*, prevention & control Textbooks as Topic / history* |
| Comments/Corrections | |
Comment In:
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Acad Med. 2009 Feb;84(2):155-6
[PMID:
19174655
]
Acad Med. 2009 Feb;84(2):157-8 [PMID: 19174656 ] |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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