In first cut much of the mystique of the human anatomy laboratory is dispelled but importantly the mystique grandeur infinite variation magnificence and downright incredibility of the human body are not to be sure as vividly borne out by carter the knowledge gained in this setting is infinitely more than pedagogical. First cut provides an insiders view of what really happens in the twilight zone of the anatomy lab carter has followed a group of medical students through their initial fears failures and eventual triumphs as they learn to cope with the human aspects of cutting up cadavers. First cut a season in the human anatomy lab by albert howard carter iii 374 rating details 69 ratings 12 reviews with humor compassion and wisdom howard carter recounts the semester he spent watching first year medical students in a human anatomy lab from the tentative early incisions of the back the symbolic weight of . First cut a season in the human anatomy lab carter iii albert howard primary category elected to spend one full semester as an up close observer in a medical school anatomy lab during the student dissection experience he approached the experiment with the clearly articulated intention of writing about the lab the instructors the