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ABSTRACT 
 
 OF 
 
 The Report on Vivisection 
 
 ADOPTED BY THE 
 
 AMERICAN HUMANE ASSOCIATION 
 September 26, 1895. 
 
 At the annual meeting of The American Hoiane Asso- 
 ciation in 1894, a committee was appointed to obtain a census 
 of opinions regarding Vivisection. The report of this com- 
 mittee was rendered at Minneapolis in September, 1895, and is 
 now published. As it constitutes a document too large for 
 general circulation, an abstract, giving the results and a few 
 of the expressions of opinion is herewith presented. 
 
 Four different statements of opinion regarding Vivisection 
 were sent out for consideration and choice to the leading 
 Clergymen, College Presidents, Professors, Medical Teachers, 
 Editors, etc., throughout the United States ; and to each Physi- 
 cian in the States of Massachusetts and Xew York, who had 
 been in practice for fifteen years. The four different views 
 represented by these statements were : 
 
 I. Asrainst all Vivisection whatever. 
 
 II. Favorable to Vivisection, restricted, and supervised 
 by law, if it be without Pain. 
 
 in. Favorable to Vivisection when restricted to useful 
 ends and under careful supervision. 
 
 rV. For Vivisection without any limitations or restrictions 
 of any kind, except the will of the experimenter. 
 
Over two thousand expressions of varying views were sent 
 to the committee. Of these, the American opinions may be 
 thus tabulated : 
 
 In favor of imlimitecl and unrestricted vivisection . . 
 Against unrestricted vivisection 
 
 Total Xo. 
 
 Per Cent. 
 
 281 
 1,753 
 
 52 
 
 13.4 
 
 84.1 
 
 2.5 
 
 Total 
 
 2,086 
 
 lOO.O 
 
 A considerable number of those who recorded themselves 
 as in favor of unrestricted Vivisection were professionally 
 connected with the practice, or with institutions where it is a 
 method of study. About one-fourth of all the expressions of 
 opinion were against Vivisection under any circumstances. 
 
 But Vivisection is a iDractice with which Physicians are 
 principally concerned. How do they stand? What is the 
 judgment of Medical men after years of practical experience 
 with the problems of pain and disease? Let us analyze the 
 medical opinions received from Massachusetts and 'New York. 
 The replies received from physicians in these States may be 
 tabulated as follows : — 
 
 For vivisection without restriction . . 
 For vivisection wlien restricted by utility 
 For vivisection when without pain . . . 
 For the total prohibition of vivisection . 
 Obscure or evasive 
 
 Total 
 
 1,150 
 
 Total No. 
 
 Per Cent. 
 
 220 
 
 19.1 
 
 513 
 
 44.6 
 
 186 
 
 16.2 
 
 207 
 
 18. 
 
 24 
 
 2.1 
 
 lOO.O 
 
 We see no reason to doubt that, with slight variations only, 
 these proportions represent the sentiments prevailing in the 
 medical profession throughout the country. If we ask the 
 judgment of other influential classes in the community, we 
 find the same tendency, even more pronounced. In the fol- 
 
lowing tables we have indicated a number of opinions from 
 clergymen, educators, presidents of universities and colleges, 
 and those engaged in college work, etc : — 
 
 
 Clergy- 
 men, 
 
 Educa- 
 tors. 
 
 Authors. 
 
 Editors. 
 
 etc. 
 
 Per 
 Cent. 
 
 For Tivisection -n-ithout restriction . . . 
 For vivisection when restricted by utility 
 For vivisection when without pain . . . 
 For the total prohibition of -slvisectiou . 
 
 Obscure or evasive 
 
 
 189 
 116 
 1+4 
 
 6 
 
 34 
 84 
 49 
 52 
 16 
 
 4 
 63 
 26 
 30 
 
 2 
 
 4.7 
 41.3 
 23.5 
 27.7 
 
 2.9 
 
 Total 
 
 455 
 
 935 1 9- 
 
 100.0 
 
 
 
 _. 
 
 It seems certain that the majority of those who represent 
 enlightened public opinion in this country are not favorable to 
 Vivisection unlimited and unrestrained. * * * One fact 
 stands clearly out, that a majority of the class to whom we 
 have appealed agree that vjherever Vivisection ap2:)roaches cruelty 
 and uselessness^ it should he proMhited. and condemned by lav:. 
 
 We cannot refrain from quoting here the opinion of one of 
 the most distinguished physicians in this country, — Dr. 
 Theophilus Parvin, LL. D., late president of the American 
 Academy of Medicine, and professor in Jefferson Medical 
 College, Philadelphia, as an illustration of what we believe to 
 be the position of the majority of the medical profession in 
 this country who have reached middle age : — 
 
 "It is wise for physicians interested in Vivisection to recognize tliat 
 there is on the part of prominent women and men in the laity a strong 
 sentiment of antagonism to experiment on animals ; and therefore they 
 sliould avoid all such work not promising certain benefit to man, and 
 anaesthetics ought always to be employed. I sometimes fear that the 
 anaesthesia is frequently nominal rather than real, else why so many and 
 ingenious contrivances for confining the animal during operations.— con- 
 trivances that are not made use of in surgical operations upon human 
 beings, their immobility being secm-ed by profound anaesthesia. 
 
 "Should the law restrict the performance of Vivisection? I think it 
 ought, chiefly as an expression of public sentiment, and for moral eftect. 
 ... I cannot think that Vivisections done for teaching purposes, 
 simply showing what has been proven time and again upon hundreds and 
 thousands of victims, are justifiable unless anaesthesia is employed, to not 
 merely mitigate, but to completely abolish suffering of the animals. Other- 
 wise the influence of such experiments is injin-ious both to the operator and 
 to the tvitnesses of the operation.^' [Italics are ours.] 
 
4 
 
 The conclusions adopted hj the committee were as follows : 
 
 "I. Vivisection is not merely a method of scientific 
 teaching or investigation, but a practice which is justly subject 
 to ethical restraints. 
 
 " II. We believe this practice has been abused. We are 
 compelled to admit that President Parvin was right in declaring 
 before the American Academy of Medicine that there are some 
 American Vivisectors 'who seem, seeking useless knowledge, 
 to be blind to writhing agony and deaf to the cry of pain, and 
 to have been guilty of the most damnable cruelties.' 
 
 "III. We believe in the potency of legislation to lessen 
 these abuses. Again we agree with President Parvin that 'law 
 should restrict the jDerf ormance of Vivisection ; ' that 'Vivisec- 
 tions done for teaching purposes, simply showing what has 
 been proved time and again upon hundreds and thousands of 
 victims, are not justifiable unless anaesthesia is employed, to 
 not merely mitigate, but to completely abolish the suffering of 
 the animals,' We are glad to find ourselves in perfect accord 
 with a scientific authority who declares that 'the influence of 
 such experiments without anaesthesia is injurious both to the 
 operator and to the vntnesses of the operation.^ 
 
 "IV. But far transcending in importance the enactment 
 of any restrictive legislation is the wide dissemination of abso- 
 lute, accurate knowledge of Vivisection as it is to-day carried 
 on in the seclusion of American laboratories. . . . We 
 recommend that the American Humane Association during the 
 coming year ask of each physiological laboratory in this 
 country, whether it will accord permission to the President of 
 the local Humane Society or to his authorized representative 
 to be present during any experiments upon animals that may 
 take place, simply as a silent observer, and entirely without 
 privilege of suggestion^ criticism^ or unsolicited remark.'''' 
 
 Only a few sentences can be 'here quoted from each of the 
 statements of opinion to which the following names were 
 appended ; and these must not be taken as indicating more than 
 the general trend of the sentiments expressed. 
 
I. FOR TOTAL PROHIBITION OF VIVISECTION. 
 
 " Whether any useful knowledge can thus he acquired or not is heside 
 the question. Even if utility could be proved, man has no moral right to 
 attempt to benefit himself at the cost of injury, pain or disease to the 
 lower animals. The injury u-hich the practice of Vivisection causes to the 
 inoral sense of the incliviclual and to humanity far outiveighs any jjossihle 
 benefit that couhl be derived from it. Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, Professor in 
 the Medical School of Harvard University, declared that " Vivisection 
 deadens the humanity of the students." Xothing which thus lowers 
 morality can be a necessity to progress. * * * Painless or painful, 
 useless or useful, however severe or however slight. Vivisection is there- 
 fore a practice so linked with cruelty, and so pernicious in tendency, that 
 any reform is impossible, and it should be absolutely prohibited by law 
 for any purpose." 
 
 To this statement 464 sig-natures were sent, of 
 which 216 were from members of the medical pro- 
 fession. One member of the Committee, 31atthew 
 Woods, M. D., adopts this view. Some of the 
 supporters of this position are as follows : — 
 
 Prof. James E. Garretsox, M. D., Senior Professor of 
 
 Surgery, Medico-Chirurgical College, Philadelphia : — 
 
 " I am without words to express my horror of Vivisection, though I 
 have been a teacher of anatomy and surgery for thirty years. It serves 
 no purpose that is not better served after other manners." 
 
 Forbes Wixslow, D. C. L. Oxon., 31. R. C. P., London, 
 Phj^sician to the British Hospital for Mental Diseases, Physi- 
 cian to Xorth London Hospital for Consum^Dtion, etc. : — 
 
 " In my opinion. Vivisection has opened up no new %iews, for the 
 treatment and cure of diseases. It is most unjustiflable and cruel, and iu 
 no way advances medical science. I do not believe iu many of the so- 
 called experiments made by these 'faddists,' especially those relating to 
 brain operations on monkeys and the consequent theory of cerebral local- 
 ization. I have probably more experience than many of these experimen- 
 ters who have given tlieir opinions to the world as based on what they 
 have done ; and I beg leave to express my utter disbelief in the usefulness 
 of such experiments and to discredit their being followed by any good 
 results to mankind or to science in general." 
 
 Prof. William J. Morton, M. D., Professor of Xervous 
 and Mental Diseases at the Xew York Post-Graduate Medical 
 School and Hospital, Xew York City : — 
 
 *'I only wish I could state the above sentiments stronger. If mankind 
 suffers from disease it is its own fault, to be cured by rectification of the 
 causes which lead to it; and it is subversive of the high and moral order 
 of the progress of humanity to inflict pain or death upon other living 
 animals to abolish or minimize disease or sufEering due to mankind's own 
 fault." 
 
(To Dr. Morton's father, T)r. W. T. G. Morton, the world 
 owes one of the greatest blessings of this or any other age, — 
 the comparative conquest of pain by the inhalation of ether.) 
 
 • B. F. Sherman, M. D., Ex-president of the Xew York 
 State Medical Society, Ogdensburg, X. Y. : — 
 
 " If it could be restricted to utility and without pain, it would be all 
 right ; but if permitted at all, it will be abused." 
 
 Edwin A. W. Harlow, A. M., M. D. (Harvard), Wollas- 
 
 ton. Mass. : — 
 
 " The late Dr. Henry J. Bigelow, in a lecture, which I heard, before the 
 Harvard College Medical School, condemned the practice of some of the 
 students in Paris in their Vivisections on horses, without anaesthetics, as 
 'infernal inhumanity.' Vivisections in all Medical Schools should be 
 abolished." 
 
 E. H. Hawks, M. D., Lynn, Mass. : — 
 
 " I beUeve that Vivisection blunts the moral sense to such a degree as 
 to become a strong force in the production of criminals." 
 
 J. D. Buck, M. D., Professor of Xervous Diseases and the 
 Principles of Therapeutics, and Dean of Pulte Medical College, 
 Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Elmore Palmer, M. D., President (1890) of the Western 
 'New York Medical Society, ButFalo, X. Y. 
 
 William Ingalls, M. D., Boston, Mass. : — 
 
 " Absolute prohibition; for unless a law can be made which no one can 
 get away from, Vivisection will obtain just as it does now." 
 
 Allan Mott-Eing, M. D., Arlington Heights, Mass. : — 
 
 " Vivisection is an unmanly crime." 
 
 Ira Clark Guptill, M.D., M. S., Xorthborough, Mass. : — 
 
 '• No legal restrictions would be conscientiously observed, and there- 
 fore I strike for absolute prohibition by law." 
 
 Alex. S. McLean, M. D., Springfield, Mass. : — 
 
 "Have been in practice forty-eight years, and have never been influ- 
 enced or governed by anything I have seen or read in the line of Vivi- 
 section." 
 
 Lorenzo W. Cole, M. D., Springfield, Mass. : — 
 
 " I consider it barbarous to torture anything capable of feeling pain, to 
 demonstrate facts which have been proven thousands of times." 
 
 Ira D. Brown, M. D., Weedsport, X. Y. : — 
 
 " Every word in the above statement I know to be true. The practice 
 of Vivisection is inhuman, cruel, and brutalizing in its effects upon those 
 who witness it, while no information useful to the human family is gained 
 
from it. In our medical colleges it is indulged in as a sport, a pastime, to 
 the moral degradation of the students, making them unlit for the practice 
 of the healing art." 
 
 Ptt. Eev. John Scarborough, D.D., Bishop of Xew Jersey. 
 
 Et. Eev. JOHX Williams, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Con- 
 necticut. 
 
 Et. Eev. Hugh Miller Thompson, D. D., Bishop of Miss- 
 issippi. 
 
 Et. Eev. J. H. D. WmGFiELD, D.D., Bishop of X. California. 
 
 The Very Eev. E. A. Hoffman, D. D., D. C. T.., Dean of 
 the General Theological Seminary, Xew York. 
 
 II. VIVISECTION ALLOWABLE IF WITHOUT PAIN. 
 
 "Whether that experimentation upon living animals known as Vivi- 
 section is justifiable or not, depends, in our judgment, excliisivelij on the 
 question of pr^iia. * * The use of chloroform and ether have made it 
 possible to perform certain experiments and demonstrations upon living 
 animals without the slightest pain, and these only we regard as justifiable 
 for demonstration or research. 
 
 '• The dangers of this practice, however, are so many, the temptations 
 to excess are so strong, the abuses to which it has led are so notorious 
 and deplorable, that the decision of this question of pain should not be 
 left to the judgment of each experimenter ; but the whole practice, like 
 the study of human anatomy with dissection, should be regulated by 
 definite laws, confined to certain objects, permitted only to competent 
 and trustworthy persons, and restricted to licensed places which shall be 
 open at all times to inspection by the Presidents of Humane Societies for 
 Protection of Animals, or their authorized representatives." 
 
 To this statement of ox^inion, 398 signatures 
 were affixed, of which 197 were those of physicians. 
 Among these were : — 
 
 Albert L. Gihon, A. M., M. D., Medical Director, U. S. 
 Navy, in charge of the U. S. Xaval Hospital, Washington, 
 D. C. 
 
 Prof. Henry M. Field, M. D., Emeritus Professor of Ther- 
 apeutics, Dartmouth Medical College : — 
 
 " I give the above my emphatic approval. But if Vivisection thus 
 restricted and guarded is not attainable, I should affix my signature to 
 No. I." 
 
8 
 
 Clinton 'Wagxer, M. D., Senior Surgeon of the Metropo- 
 litan Throat Hospital, Xew York City : — 
 
 " Vivisection may be allowable if without pain and performed by tiie 
 Pi'ofessor or his licensed assistants, and only in the laboratories of incor- 
 porated medical schools," 
 
 Prof. H. D. Champlix, ]M. D., Professor of Xervous 
 Diseases, Cleveland University of Medicine and Surgery, 
 Cleveland, Ohio : — 
 
 " I do not believe in these cases any t>TO should be allowed to Vivi- 
 sect; nor do I believe in Vivisection just to verify old experiments. 
 Unless something of great value is to be gained in a scientific way, it 
 should be forbidden even under the influence of an anaesthetic." 
 
 Eev. Frederic P. Marvin, M. D. Troy, X. Y. : — 
 
 "I believe Vivisection should be allowable in cases where pain may be 
 avoided, and then only as conducted by experts for some definite end of 
 sufficient consequence. It should never be allowed for mere purposes of 
 demonstration, or as a method of instruction in the class-room or in the 
 medical college." 
 
 (In another letter to the Association, Dr. Marvin says : "Though now a 
 minister of the Gospel, I was educated to the profession of medicine and 
 was graduated from the College of Physicians and Surgeons, 'Medical 
 Department of Columbia College, N. Y..' in 1870. In the class-room I saw 
 Vivisections so unqualifiedly cruel that even now they remain in my 
 memory as a nightmare. I am persuaded that none of the so-called ex- 
 periments upon living animals that I witnessed were of any real value to 
 me or to my fellow-students.") 
 
 A. X. Brockway, a. M., M. D., Xew York City : — 
 
 "J/?/ opinion is that no exx>erimenter should inflict jjo in on any aniinoJ' 
 which he tcoidd not himself be willing to stiff er in the same cause.'' ^ 
 
 AViLLiAM Wallace Gardner, M. D., Springfield, Mass. : — 
 
 "I believe it useful under proper restrictions to save human suffering. 
 What I should be willing to suffer voluntarily, the loiver order of animals 
 should be obliged to suffer for humanity's sake" 
 
 Frank W. Ping, M. D., A. M., Surgeon to Manhattan Eye 
 and Ear HosiDital, Xew York City. 
 
 X. A. MosSiiAN, M. D., Xew York City : — 
 
 "Without supervision, indifferent experimenters might say that they 
 had complied with all the requirements if they gave a few inhalations of 
 chloroform, then experimented any length of time without continuing its 
 use." 
 
 Edward ^\. Avery, M. D., Brooklyn, X. Y. : — 
 
 "Even though anaesthetics are used, I do not consider Vivisection jus- 
 tifiable to demonstrate well-known facts or to gratify curiosity." 
 
9 
 
 Edgar S. Dodge, M. D., Xatick, Mass. : — 
 
 "Vivisection should be under the hmitation and control of United 
 States law, and severe penalties should he applied to all violations." 
 
 Clarkson C. Schuyler M. D., Plattsburg, X. Y. : — 
 
 "If a law allowing Vivisection and without pain cannot he enforced, 
 then I am for the absolute prohibition of Vivisection." 
 
 President E. Benjamin Andrews, D. D., LL.D., Brown 
 University, Providence, E. I. : — 
 
 " I would add that, if thei'e are results of very great importance obtain- 
 able by Vivisection without ansesthesia or with limited anaesthesia, I 
 would permit Vivisection without or with limited anaesthesia subject to 
 the conditions recited above in the last paragraph of printed matter." 
 
 President Andrew V. Eaymond, LL.D., L^nion College, 
 Schenectady, X. Y. 
 
 President James R. Day, D. D., S. T. D., Chancellor of 
 the Syracuse University, Syracuse, X. Y. 
 
 Et. Eev. Thomas A. Jagger, Bishop of Southern Ohio. 
 
 Et. Eev. George F. Seymour, Bishop of Springfield, 111. 
 
 Et. Eev. Daniel S. Tuttle, Bishop of Missouri, St. Louis, 
 Mo. 
 
 Et. Eev. C. K. Xelson, Bishop of Georgia, Atlanta, Ga. 
 
 Et. Eev. O. ^y. AVhitaker, Bishop of Pennsylvania. 
 
 Et. Eev. Francis K. Brooks, Bishop of Oklahoma and 
 Indian Territories, Guthrie, Oklahoma. 
 
 Mr. William Dean Howells, Author, Xew York City. 
 
 Mr. Edward Bellamy, Author, Chicopee Falls, Mass. 
 
 Mr. Brander Matthews, Author, Xew York City. 
 
 Prof. Albert Bushnell Hart, Harvard College, Cam- 
 brdge, Mass. 
 
 Prof. John Bascom, Williarastown, Mass. 
 
 Prof. Albion ^Y. Small, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology, 
 L'niversity of Chicago. 
 
 Prof. John Grier Hibben, Professor of Logic, Princeton 
 University, Princeton, X. J. 
 
10 
 
 III. VIVISECTION RESTRICTED BY UTILITY. 
 
 "Vivisection is a practice of sucli variety and complexity, tliat like 
 warfare between nations, one can neither condemn it nor approve it unless 
 some careful distinctions be first laid down. * * * Within certain limi- 
 tations we regard Vivisection to be so justified by utility as to be legiti- 
 mate, expedient, and right. Beyond these boundaries it is cruel, mon- 
 strous, and wrong. 
 
 "We consider as wholly unjustifiable the common practice * * * of 
 subjecting animals to torture in the laboratory or classroom, merely for 
 the purpose of demonstrating well-known and accepted facts. We hold 
 that the infliction of torment upon a living animal under such circum- 
 stances is not justified by necessity, nor is it a fitting exhibition for the 
 contemplation of youth. 
 
 "We believe, therefore, that the common interests of Humanity and 
 Science demand that Vivisection, like the study of human anatomy in the 
 dissecting-room, should be brought under the direct supervision and con- 
 trol of the State. The practice, whether in public or in private, should be 
 restricted by law to certain definite objects, and surrounded by every 
 possible safeguard against license or abuse." 
 
 To this statement (which represents the senti- 
 ment of two members of the committee, Titus 
 Munson Coan, M. D., and Albert Leffingwell, 
 M. D.,) 891 signatures were affixed, including 555 
 members of the medical profession. By a few 
 signers, some changes in phraseology were made ; 
 but the great majority, including all of the follow- 
 ing persons, affixed their names without modi- 
 fying the statement in any way : — 
 
 Herbert Spencer, Author, London. 
 
 Sir Edwin Arnold, Author, and Editor of the "London 
 Telegraph," London : — 
 
 "It is with this that I agree, detesting and dreading unlicensed Vivi- 
 section. But I love and honor Science too much to deny her any right, 
 exercised with true scientific spirit; that is, with reverence, mercy, and 
 love to all living things. I would hardly allow even an angel to vivisect 
 without anaesthetics." 
 
 The fourth statement, Sir Edwin Arnold characterizes as "the language 
 of scientific devils." 
 
 Kobert Braithwaite, M. D., F. L. S., London: — 
 
 "... After facts have been sufiflciently established, it is not neces- 
 sary to repeat experiments for individual satisfaction, still less for 
 demonstration to students ; the facte should be accepted from the teacher 
 equally with other facts which cannot be demonstrated." 
 
11 
 
 President David H. Cochran, Ph.D., LL.D., Polytechnic 
 Institute, Brooklyn, N. Y. 
 
 Prof. T. M. Balliet, M. D., Professor of Therapeutics, 
 Dartmouth Medical College, Philadelphia, Pa. 
 
 Prof. T. Gaillard Thomas, M. D., College of Physicians 
 and Surgeons, Consulting Surgeon of the State Women's Hos- 
 pital, N. Y. 
 
 Simon Baruch, M. D., Physician to the Manhattan General 
 Hospital, X. Y. and late Physician and Surgeon to the X. Y. 
 Juv. Asylum. 
 
 (Would permit Vivisection for demonstration, under anaesthesia.) 
 
 Prof. Geo. Montgomery Tuttle, M. D., Professor of 
 Gynaecology in the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Xew 
 York. 
 
 Prof. Andrew H. Smith, M. D., Post-Graduate School, 
 Attending Physician of the Presbyterian Hospital, X. Y. 
 
 Prof. Alonzo Boothby, M. D., Associate Professor of 
 Surgery, Boston, School of Medicine : — 
 
 "As tlie matter is a very important one, and as there has been such an 
 unnecessary and absurd use of animals to amuse students and idlers, I 
 send you my protest, with the hope that your object is to lessen the evil." 
 
 Daniel Cook M. D., Xew York City. : — 
 
 "In my experience, certain Vivisections are performed mostly for the 
 most unworthy object of making the lectures sensational above those at 
 other colleges,— exactly as our theatres and newspapers vie with one 
 another in furnishing blood-cui'dhng plays, or sensational news." 
 
 John Allan Wyeth, M. D. President of the Faculty of the 
 Xew York Polyclinic Medical School and Hospital, Xew York. 
 
 Albert McScully, M. D., M. Ch., L. 31., Queen's Univer. 
 sity ; Formerly Assistant Demonstrator of Anatomy in Queen's 
 College, Ireland, Xew York City; — 
 
 "A person actively engaged in Vivisection is inclined to subscribe to 
 the fourth statement. The whole mind is absorbed in the subject; and 
 clear unbiassed reasoning is then out of the question. I felt thus niyseU", 
 at one time, when full of my subject, as well as full of youthful ardor. 
 After mature deliberation, I freely and unconditionally subscribe to this 
 statement." 
 
 G. B. Hope, M. D., Xew York City : — 
 
 "From what I have been witness to in several steps of my student 
 career, I am heartily in sympathy with your investigation. I believe i.i 
 the severest control governing Vivisection. Every class-room exhiiiition 
 particularly should be prohibited as useless and demoralizing. I would 
 
12 
 
 have every experimenter file an application, giving the nature and inten- 
 tion of the operation, and subsequently report the number, size, and 
 quality of animals employed, with the results obtained. Such a course 
 would check needless and vicious operations." 
 
 (Dr. Hope graduated twenty years ago from a medical col- 
 lege notorious for its extreme Vivisections.) 
 
 Archibald T. Banxixg, M. D., President City Medical 
 
 Association, Mt. Vernon, X. Y. : — 
 
 "I well remember when a student the feelings of horror that arose on 
 seeing certain experiments. . . The first experiment was altogether an 
 outrage ; the second, though of some utility, had already been suffi- 
 ciently demonstrated, and a mere statement from the professor would 
 have accomplished as much instruction as ocular evidence. The impres- 
 sion thus made on the unformed minds of students is bad. and might 
 have a tendency to develop some morbid psychopathic action. I have 
 such caes in view." 
 
 John L. Schoolcraft, M. D., Schenectady, X. Y. : — 
 
 "The continual practice of Vivisection by assistant lecturers and others 
 to show what has been thoroughly proven by men of reputation, should be 
 absolutely prohibited." 
 
 William J. Burr, M. D., late Acting Staflf-Surgeon, U. S. 
 
 A., Xewark Valley, X. Y. : — 
 
 "I have seen most kindly conducted experiments, and also others most 
 abhorrent. In my opinion, Vivisection should be under restrictions, and 
 conducted without pain " 
 
 S. P. Moore, M. D., Munnville, X. Y. : — 
 
 "lam aware that we are apt to forget what is right in efforts after 
 fame. As I grow older, certain scenes before a class of young men seem 
 to me of very doubtful propriety. Medical students are apt to be rough 
 enough without such sights." 
 
 Jonathan Kneeland, M. D., S. Onondaga, X.Y. : — 
 
 "If we know less of the mysteries of existence by refraining from tor- 
 menting our pets, we shall at any rate increase the total joy of animal 
 life." 
 
 William H. Munx, M. D., Xew York City: — 
 
 "Xo undergraduate to attempt it; only by a professor, and with the 
 least pain." 
 
 John Parmenter, M. D., Prof, of Anatomy and Clinical 
 Surgery, University of Buffalo, Surgeon to the Erie Co. Fitch 
 and Children's Hospitals, Buffalo, X. Y. 
 
 Archibald M. Campbell, M. D., Consulting Physician in 
 the Home for Incurables, X. Y. City, Member of the Academy 
 of Medicine, Physician to the X. Y. Infant Asylum, etc., Mt. 
 Vernon, X. Y. 
 
13 
 
 George M. Gould, M. D., Editor of the "Medical Xews,'' 
 Philadelphia, Pa. : — 
 
 "Whenever possible, under anaesthesia.' 
 
 (Dr. Goiikrs views regarding vivisection have been well expressed in 
 his recent work, "The Meaning and Method of Life" from wliich we quote 
 aud italicize the following: "If a very limited use of vivisection experi- 
 ment is necessary for scientific and medical progress, it must be regulated 
 by lair, carried out with jealous guarding against excess and against suf- 
 fering, and the maimed animals painlessly killed when the experiment is 
 complete. The practice car-ried on by conceited jackaruipes to prove over 
 and over again already ascertained results, to tninister to egotism, for di- 
 dactic j^mposes, — these are not necessary, and must be forbidden") 
 
 Hermax Myxter, M. D., Professor of Surgery, Xiagara 
 UniversitY, Buffalo, X. Y. 
 
 James E. Kelly, M. D., F. R. C. S., Consulting Sm-geon, 
 French Hospital, Xe\Y York City. 
 
 O. B. Douglass, M. D., Surgeon to the 3Ianliattan Eye 
 and Ear Hospital, late President of the Medical Society of the 
 County of Xew York, etc. 
 
 Charles S. Mack, M. D., Professor of Materia Medica 
 and Therapeutics, Uniyersity of Michigan, Ann Harbor, 3Iieh. : 
 "... Kegard as useless much that some regard as useful." 
 
 President Martin Kellogg, LL.D., University of Cali- 
 fornia, Berkeley, Cal. 
 
 President Hexry AVade Eogers, LL.D., Xorth\Yestern 
 Uniyersity, Evanston, 111. 
 
 President Elmer H. Capex, D. D. Tufts College,Mass. 
 
 President Charles Kendall Adams. LL.D., Uniyersity 
 of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis. 
 
 R. H. Thlhston, LL.D.. Director of Sibley College, Cornell 
 tJniYersity, Ithaca, X. Y. 
 
 C. C. Eyerett, D. D,, Dean of Harvard Divinity School. 
 Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 George Hodges, D. D., Dean of Episcopal Theological 
 School, Cambridge, Mass. 
 
 James O. ^Murray, Dean of Princeton Uniyersity. Prince- 
 ton, X. J. 
 
 Cyrus Xorthrop, LL.D., President University of Minne- 
 sota, Minneapolis, Minn. : — 
 
 "Vivisection is practiced more than is necessary; it ought undoubtedly 
 to be restrained. Doubtless it has its uses in teachingj but its value in 
 investigation has been overrated." 
 
14 
 
 Prof. IViLLiAM James, M. D., Author; Professor of Psy- 
 chology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass. : — 
 
 " If public opinion could constitute the check, I should prefer that ; but 
 that would necessarily be ineffectual. I think there will be great difficulty 
 in defining by law what is legitimate, or in having whatever law were made 
 discriminately administered. In principle, however, I have not a moment's 
 hesitation in standing up for the vivisector being outwardly responsible 
 for his acts." 
 
 IV— V. VIVISECTION WITHOUT RESTRICTIONS. 
 
 "Vivisection, or experimentation upon living creatures, must be looked 
 at simply as a method of studying the phenomena of Life. With it moral- 
 ity has nothing to do. It should be subject neither to criticism, super- 
 vision, nor restrictions of any kind. It may be used to any extent desired 
 by any experimenter (no matter what degree of extreme or prolonged 
 pain it may involve) for demonstration before students of the statements 
 contained in their text-books, as an aid to memory; for confirmation of 
 theories ; for original research; or for any conceivable purpose of investi- 
 gation into vital phenomena. We consider that sentiment has no place in 
 the physiological laboratory; that animals have there no "rights" which 
 Man is called upon to notice or respect. * * * 
 
 To the above statement 109 signatures were 
 affixed, including two Presidents of leading Uni- 
 versities. Another statement, slightly differing 
 from this but affirming the same principles, 
 received 172 names. For signatures, see the 
 EeiDort. 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS. 
 
 Hon. Area X. Waterman, Illinois Apellate Court, Chicago, 
 m. : — 
 
 " Civilization in its moral aspect consists in a heightened sympathy 
 with and consideration for those men or animals in our power. It is 
 impossible to train a child to indifference as regards the suffering of a 
 dog, and at the same time to be mindful of the rights of little children. 
 
 " It is immaterial whether he who proposes to torture be an ignorant 
 savage or a distinguished savant. ... To whomsoever in the cause 
 of science the agony of a dying rabbit is of no consequence, it is likely 
 that the old or worthless man will soon be a thing which in the cause of 
 learning may well be sacrificed. There is no reason for thinking that 
 Torquemada or Eobespierre were naturally any more cruel than the 
 educators who endeavor to add briiliancy and piquancy to their lectures 
 by an exhibition of the manner in whicli a dumb brute behaves when dis- 
 sected alive." 
 
15 
 
 Eight Eev. Gegrge F. Seymour, LL.D., Bishop of Sprino-- 
 field : " 
 
 " I consider that the animated world beneath man is a sacred trust 
 committed to him by the Creator, and for the right and just administration 
 of which he will be held sternly accountable. Hence, I would place very 
 severe restrictions upon Vivisection, and allow its practice only in cases 
 where it was employed for settling questions which we have good reason 
 to believe could not be answered except by such experiments. I would 
 exclude absolutely, and forbid under penalty by law, all exhibitions to 
 students of Vivisection as illustrating ascertained and recorded facts of 
 science." 
 
 From H. R. Brissett, M. D., Low ell, :Mass. : — 
 
 "Anaesthesia is good while it lasts, but I have often seen it pass off, 
 and the experimenter go on with the work in hand without renewing it; 
 and all the class saw with revulsion that there was real torture in the 
 case." 
 
 From Clayton L. Hill, M. D., Buffalo, X. Y. : — 
 
 •' I know from personal experience that medical and surgical research 
 does not demand the fearful suffering and waste of life that is entailed 
 apon the lower animals. I have seen many hundreds of Vivisections, 
 and not one of them developed a new truth or an idea not already well 
 established. Vivisection as practised in medical schools is simply a sort 
 of theatrical performance for the benefit of the students and the glory of 
 the professors." 
 
 From LuiGi Galvaxi Doane, M. D., Xew^ York City : — 
 
 "Put me down as the antagonist of Vivisection in any form. The 
 ofiBce of the physician is to heal wounds and to save life, not to take it." 
 
 From George H. Payxe, M. D., Boston, Mass : — 
 
 " I believe fully that we have no right to torture God's dumb creatures, 
 and that it does little or no good to experiment upon animals." 
 
 J. W. Thomson, M. D., Xew York City : — 
 
 "We do not believe that Vivisection ever gave knowledge that led to 
 the relief of a single human being from pain, or in any way helped to 
 ameliorate human suffering. This diabohcal practice is totally needless 
 as well as dastardly inhuman. No man who has been guilty of Vivisec- 
 tion ought to be allowed to practise as a physician. Imagine any one 
 coming from a torture-chamber to see a sick child, or to have a mission to 
 help suffering humanity! How can one who is callous to animal suffering 
 yearn to help his fellow-man? " 
 
 From A. Rose, M. D., Xew York : — 
 
 "There can be no nobler cause than the prevention of cruelty to 
 animals in Vivisection. During the Middle Ages tortures were inflicted 
 under the very eyes and strict supervision of awfully learned physicians, 
 and thus we see that learning does not prevent us from cruelty. We 
 have to be reminded of this example." 
 
16 
 
 From President AT. P. Johnston, Geneva College, Pa. : — 
 
 " My opposition to Yivisection is uot so much because of the pain to 
 the animal dissected (it dies in a little while) , hut because of injury to the 
 moral nature of the animal dissecting, that lives probably for many years, 
 and has other chances on other animals than dogs and cats ! " 
 
 From John H. Keysee, Hartford, Conn. : — 
 
 " I was Superintendent of the Sti'anger's Hospital in New York at a 
 time when Vivisection was freely practised upon animals by young stu- 
 dent physicians. From that experience I formed the opinion that it was 
 wicked, wanton, and cruel to clothe these young inexperienced men with 
 despotic power over animals, and I forbade the practice. Mercy towards 
 the helpless brute creation is, in my judgment, ample argument against 
 Vivisection, and it ought to cease." 
 
 From John Boardman, M. D., Buffalo, X. Y. : — 
 
 " I do not believe that any real good comes to the ordinary student 
 from class Vivisection. On the other hand, in my opinion, the humane 
 part of man is injured and the diabolical part comes nearer to the surface." 
 
 From Thomas B. Fowler, M. D., Cohocton, X. Y. : — 
 
 " I do not think the impression left on the mind of the average medical 
 student as a result of witnessing the mutilation of animals is one that 
 really adds to his available store of knowledge, or tends to aid him in 
 prescribing for suffering humanity. It is impossible to estimate the 
 baneful effects of such experiences on the minds of men whose actions 
 are largely governed by impulse or propensity." 
 
 Copies of this Abstract may be had at twenty cents per dozen copies. The 
 REPORT itself is not for general distribution, but a limited number of copies 
 may be had at fifteen cents each, postpaid. Address : 
 
 P. O. Box 215, 
 
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 R. I. 
 
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 American humane association 
 
 Abstract of the Report on Yivi-