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Feature Christmas 2011: Death’s Dominion

Should the skeleton of “the Irish giant” be buried at sea?

BMJ 2011; 343 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.d7597 (Published 20 December 2011) Cite this as: BMJ 2011;343:d7597

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Re: Should the skeleton of “the Irish giant” be buried at sea?

Old bones: new views?

If bones could speak, John Hunter might today agree with Doyal & Muinzer that the Irish giant should finally be buried at sea in accordance with his wishes. Two centuries ago 'The Founder of Scientific Surgery' strove tirelessly (& boldly) to make surgery better for patients: he looked to the future. We have no reason to believe that his commitment to progress & professionalism would be any different today; when for a surgeon it is as important to 'do the right thing' as it is to 'cut the right thing'. We are certain that such a great man, in this 'age of consent', would be keen to remain at the 'cutting edge': he would surely respect wishes more than curiosities.

Ben Lake
Mark W Davies DA(RCS) FFA RCS
Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Email: securemark@mac.com
No external funding and no competing interests declared.

Competing interests: No competing interests

29 December 2011
Mark W Davies
Anaesthesia
Ben Lane
Royal Liverpool & Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust
Liverpool L7 8XP