On October 31 1918 - 100 years ago today - the first body from a “poor house” was donated for medical studies to what was then called the University of Malta’s School of Anatomy, according to a recently discovered ledger.

Jean Calleja Agius, the head of the what is today called the Department of Anatomy, on Wednesday marked 100 years since the first cadaver, an unknown male, was donated to the University for medical research and training.

Since 1918, some 1,500 bodies have been donated to the University, she said, adding that this “noblest of acts” had helped thousands of students become medical professionals over the years.

To mark the centenary, the University unveiled a memorial garden at its Msida campus, for the friends and relatives of these donors who until now had nowhere to pay their respects.

“We wanted to give a place for reflection for those whose family members chose to do a selfless thing and help future medical professionals,” Prof. Calleja Agius said.

The small garden, beside the University’s chaplaincy, was visited by the relatives of several who had donated their body to the university over the years.

Rector Alfred Vella said the act of “sublime altruism”, of donating the last thing anyone can really own – their own body – was a huge gesture that was not taken lightly by the university.

Every year around 160 medical students study around 50 donated cadavers at the department. Prof. Calleja Agius said those seeking to donate could chose whether their remains would be kept at the university for one, three, or and indefinite number of years.

Prof. Calleja Agius said the university had introduced a formalised system for donation that required the donors to indicate they wished to donate their body before their death. A series of forms would have to be counter signed by a relative.

Around 30 bodies are received every year, and the figure, she said, was on the up.

“We’ve noticed an increase from locals who have decided to donate their bodies in recent years,” Prof Calleja Agius said.

Professor Godfrey Laferla, the head of the Faculty of Medicine, said that while the recently discovered ledger was the oldest record of bodies received by the University, letters that dated as far back as 1864 showed how cadavers coming from “the hospital of incurables” were being studied on the island.

Over the years, he said, new embalming methods which made the body tissue appear more life-like had been introduced.

Once the bodies have been dissected a number of times by students, Prof. Calleja Agius added, they are eventually buried at a lot at the Addolorata Cemetery.