in an exploration of the history of the skull in medical studies, it's intriguing that many former students, upon learning the principles of anatomy, would commence from the outset to give the cold shoulder to the conventional teachings, seeking unofficial methods of study. this often involved unauthorized access to specimens or archives, a fact that many educational institutions might not willingly disclose. such practices, although frowned upon, shed light on the lengths to which some would go to gain a deeper understanding, potentially leading to malicious use of confidential information.