The bodies received must be distributed by the board to and among medical colleges and schools of the State and physicians and surgeons as the board may designate. The colleges and schools first must be supplied with bodies needed for lectures and demonstration. The remaining bodies must be distributed equitably among the physicians and surgeons; however, in equitable distribution of the bodies, the physicians and surgeons of the city where the death of the person took place have prior right to receive the body. The board, instead of by themselves or through their agents receiving and delivering bodies, may, from time to time, either directly or by their officers or agents, designate physicians and surgeons to receive the bodies and the number each shall receive. For the purpose of the distribution contemplated by this section, a body must be held, subject to the order of the board or its authorized agent, in the city where death occurs not less than twenty-four hours.