After the widespread of information on body snatching and resurrectionists, the people began to lose faith in the medical profession because of the lack of morals. In response to the growing profession of trading corpses and the Burke and Hare murders, the parliament passed the Anatomy Act of 1832. This act prevented illegal trade of bodies for dissection and allowed doctors access to corpses that were unclaimed after death.(Lancet) Many of these unclaimed bodies were prisoners, workhouse men, or people whose family could not afford a burial.(Lancet) The Anatomy Act of 1832 shows the mysterious and scary effect to Stevenson's short story. It shows the audience how trading corpses is morally wrong. It also exemplifies reform during the Victorian Era in the England community, a main subject for Stevenson.

Works Cited: The Lancet. “British Library.” The British Library, 1832, www.bl.uk/collection-items/issues-of-medical-journal-the-lancet-1831-32\.