Ch. XV.] VIVISECTION, 1881. 289 



The following letter appeared in the Times, April 18th, 

 1881:— 



0. D. to FritMof Holmgren * Down, April 14, 1881. 



Dear Sir, — In answer to your conrteons letter of April 7, I 

 have no objection to express my opinion with respect to the 

 right of experimenting on living animals. I nse this latter ex- 

 pression as more correct and comprehensive than that of vivi- 

 section. You are at liberty to make any use of this letter which 

 you may think fit, but if published I should wish the whole to 

 appear. I have all my life been a strong advocate for humanity 

 to animals, and have done what I could in my writings to 

 enforce this duty. Several years ago, when the agitation 

 against physiologists commenced in England, it was asserted 

 that inhumanity was here practised, and useless suffering caused 

 to animals ; and I was led to think that it might be advisable 

 to have an Act of Parliament on the subject. I then took 

 an active part in trying to get a Bill passed, such as would 

 have removed all just cause of complaint, and at the same time 

 have left physiologists free to pursue their researches — a Bill 

 very different from the Act which has since been passed. It is 

 right to add that the investigation of the matter by a Royal Com- 

 mission proved that the accusations made against our English 

 physiologists were false. From all that I have heard, however, 

 I fear that in some parts of Europe little regard is paid to the 

 sufferings of animals, and if this be the case, I should be glad to 

 hear of legislation against inhumanity in any such country. 

 On the other hand, I know that physiology cannot possibly 

 progress except by means of experiments on living animals, 

 and I feel the deepest conviction that he who retards the 

 progress of physiology commits a crime against mankind. Any 

 one who remembers, as I can, the state of this science half a 

 century ago must admit that it has made immense progress, 

 and it is now progressing at an ever-increasing rate. What 

 improvements in medical practice may be directly attributed to 

 physiological research is a question which can be properly 

 discussed only by those physiologists and medical practitioners 

 who have studied the history of their subjects; but, as far as 

 I can learn, the benefits are already great. However this may 

 be, no one, unless he is grossly ignorant of what science has 

 done for mankind, can entertain any doubt of the incalculable 

 benefits which will hereafter be derived from physiology, not 

 only by man, but by the lower animals. Look for instance at 

 * Professor of Physiology at Upsala. 



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