HENRY G. BEYER 



SURGEON, UNITED STATES NAVY 



(Letter from H. G. Beyer, U. S. N. Doctor Beyer was present at the 

 hearings and ready to speak in person.) 1 



U. S. S. S. WABASH, NAVY YARD, BOSTON, MASS. 

 DEAR DOCTOR, As a naval medical officer, I should 

 feel that I was unworthy of my position, as well 

 as untrue to myself and the trust imposed upon 

 - me, if I did not join with you in protesting against 

 the proposed bill for the further restriction of vivisec- 

 tion as a means for advancing the science of biology 

 in all its bearings. 



I should besides feel that I had joined the ranks of 

 the most ungrateful if I failed to openly and frankly 

 acknowledge with you the debt we all owe to the 

 biological sciences which so constantly and copiously 

 feed the different branches of the medical profession, 

 and without which every important source of infor- 

 mation and future advancement would seem to be 

 absolutely blocked. 



How could I point with pride to the reduction in 

 the mortality returns of the navy from year to year, 

 to the increase in the recoveries from operations as 

 recorded in the surgeon general's reports, without 

 at the same time giving silent thanks to whom all this 

 is due. No one abreast with the times, and even 

 faintly familiar with the history of the profession, would 



1 Dr. Beyer being on cruise, the proof of this letter was, with his consent, 

 corrected by Dr. Ernst. 



