VIVISECTION. 439 



exact size, or as to exact relationship with other parts : fur- 

 thermore, a tumour does not admit of being made to order 

 in aid of vivisection. 



The conclusion to which we arrive is, the utter needlessness 

 of vivisection, considered as an aid to promote dexterity of hand 

 in operating. 



I have endeavoured to show, that conclusive evidence 

 against the practice of vivisection for operative purposes can 

 be adduced without invoking the aid of human sentiment, of 

 pity and compassion. 1 not only deny the need of vivisection 

 for operative purposes, but I deny the existence of conditions 

 under which that need could possibly arise. I support the 

 denial by reference to the opinions and practice of every 

 surgeon of high position and repute that it has ever been 

 my lot to meet with ; I might even aver, by the opinions and 

 practice of surgeons of all grades. 



At this point the argument might be considered exhausted, 

 so far as any plausible reasoning to the contrary has been 

 adduced. Inasmuch, however, as what may seem puerile to 

 one mind may seem plausible to another, let me not conclude 

 without adverting to a plea sometimes urged in defence of 

 vivisection for operative purposes urged, however, by persons 

 who demonstrate, by the very reasoning on which their argu- 

 ments are based, the worthlessness of any opinions they might 

 advance on this matter. It is urged by them, that vivisection 

 is desirable as a means of deadening sentiment, accustoming 

 the operator to look unmoved upon the shedding of blood and 

 animal suffering ; whereby (as they submit) he may the better 

 prosecute a surgical operation without the trembling of hand 

 or disturbance of mind that might wait on inexperience. 



So low a ground of advocacy never has been taken, and 

 never will be taken, by any disputant whose knowledge of 

 the springs of human impulse is deep enough and refined 

 enough to warrant him in forming an estimate of the qiiali- 

 ties which go to constitute a successful operator. Any amount 



