— 
1538 
scientific experiments, which, in comparison, are so very trifling in degree, must 
necessarily be legitimate also, whilst the objects gained by it are of high 
importance. 
‘Your petitioners, therefore, believe that to forbid the few experiments that 
may be required for scientific research, whilst sportsmen and society at large are 
to be left at liberty to carry on vivisection to so large an extent and in every 
locality, is indeed ‘‘to strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.” Your petitioners 
for these reasons humbly entreat your honourable House to confine your efforts to 
stop, so far as may be, the infliction of all unnecessary pain on animals wherever it 
may be practised, and to leave science and society at large equally unfettered by 
a legislation that to ordinary common sense cannot fail to appear effeminate and 
sentimental.” 
11 
