The vivisection controversy : essays and criticisms / by Albert Leffingwell.

  • Albert Leffingwell
Date:
1908
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The vivisection controversy : essays and criticisms / by Albert Leffingwell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    192/270 (page 178)
    Commission [of the Societies for Prevention of Cruelty] asks for nothing which the most zealous devotees of science cannot,—and ought not to grant. It demands only the cessation of experiments which are purely repetitive demonstrations of known facts.” Medical Times and Gazette (Editori.al), Oct. 20, i860. “ Two years ago, we called attention to the brutality practised at the veterinary schools in France, and gave a specimen of the kind of torture, there inflicted upon animals. We are very glad to see that the public are now occupied with the subject, and we are sure that the Profession at large will fully agree with us in condemning experiments which are made simply to demonstrate physiological or other facts which have been received as settled points and are beyond controversy. We consider the question involved as one of extreme interest to the Profession ; and we shall gladly throw open our columns to any of our brethren who may wish to assist in framing some code by which we may decide under what circumstances experiments upon living animals may be made with propriety.” The Lancet, London (Editorial), Oct. 20, i860. “ The moment that it (vivisection) overpasses the bounds of necessity; when it ceases to aim at the solution of problems in which humanity is interested, and becomes a new means of public demonstration, having no benevolent end, then it is degraded to the level of a purposeless cruelly. The repetitive demonstration cf known facts, by public or private vivi- sections, is an abuse that we deplore and have more than once con- demned.” From Letter to The Lancet, Jan. 12, 1861. ‘“Prof. Owen,* one of the first physiological authorities of the present day, observes, ‘ That no teacher of physiology is justified in repeating any vivisectional experiment, merely to show its known results to his class or to others. It is the practice of vivisection, in place of physi- ological induction, pursued for the same end, against which, humanity, Christianity and Civilization should alike protest.' ” Medical Times and Gazette (Editorial), London, March 2, i86i. ‘‘ Vivisection. We have been requested to pronounce a condemna- tion of vivisection . . . We believe that if anyone competent to the task desires to solve any question affecting human life or health, or to acquire such a knowledge of * Sir Richard Owen.