A Tradition of Respect and Learning
It is not unusual for a tourist visiting the museums to witness gifts or tributes left next to displays. Visitors and students both are known to leave offerings of flowers, wreaths, coins, toys and food by displays featuring cadavers or skeletons. Medical students are in the habit of referring to the deceased on display affectionately as "Head-Master" out of respect for what the dead can teach them. Indeed, an even more common sight in the museum is students with sketchbooks in hand, creating anatomical sketches to aid in their learning.