Who was the first to successfully adopt arterial injection as a means of preservation?

The correct answer is William Hunter because he is credited with being the first to successfully adopt the technique of arterial injection for the preservation of corpses in the 18th century. Hunter’s method involved injecting a preservative solution through the arteries of the deceased, which allowed for more effective preservation of the body, making anatomical study and dissection possible without rapid decomposition. His work laid the groundwork for modern embalming practices and significantly advanced the field of anatomy.

Additionally, this practice became vital for the education of medical students and for understanding human anatomy in greater detail. Other individuals mentioned, like Auguste Hoffman, Dr. Fredrick Ruysch, and Dr. Thomas Holmes, made important contributions in the field of preservation and embalming, but it was Hunter who first utilized arterial injection as a systematic method for preservation.