At a gift exchange this past Christmas I received (arguably) the coolest book I’ve ever seen.  It’s called “A Quiz Compend of Mortuary Science,” and it’s a question-and-answer format textbook designed to teach everything a mortuary scientist might be asked in a class or on an exam (I presume).  No pictures, just wonderful text.  A random example:

Q. Name three functions of food in the body.

A: 1. To yield energy. 2. To provide material for growth of tissues.  3. To regulate body processes.

Q: Name the lobes of the liver.

A: Right, left, quadrate, and caudate.

Q: List the mechanical and chemical digestive processes.

A; Mechanical: Mastication, deglutition, peristaltic action of esophagus, movements of the stomach, movements of the intestine, defecation.  Chemical: Splitting of complex substances into simpler ones, enzyme hydrolysis, the formation of: a. simple sugars, b. amino acids, c. Glycerine and fatty acids.

Q: Describe the gall bladder.

On and on and on.  Sections include: Anatomy.  Microbiology.  Chemistry.  Pathology.  Embalming.  Restorative Art.  Mortuary Administration.  Mortuary Law.  If I was reading this for a class, I’d despair; having encountered it in civilian life, I expect I’ll have much of it memorized by the end of the year.