The Court of Cacus; Or, The Story of Burke and Hare

"The Court of Cacus; Or, The Story of Burke and Hare" by Alexander Leighton is a historical exploration into the sinister world of body snatching and medical ethics violations in 19th-century Scotland, particularly focusing on William Burke and William Hare. The story begins in the fall of 1827 in Edinburgh’s Surgeon’s Square, setting the scene for the introduction of William Burke as a new, apprehensive body-snatcher. His encounter with a student from Dr. Knox's class sets in motion his involvement in the gruesome business of selling corpses, driven by the high demand from medical schools, and highlighting the moral decline and desperate motivations of those participating in this dark period of medical history. Through the lens of this horrifying enterprise, the account examines deeper subjects of right and wrong, the extent of human wickedness, and the ethical boundaries of scientific progress.