1890 VIVISECTION 165 



Another letter on the subject may be given, which 

 was written to a student at a theological college, in 

 reply to a request for his opinion on vivisection, which 

 was to be discussed at the college debating society. 



GRAND HOTEL, EASTBOURNE, 

 Sept. 29, 1890. 



DEAR SIR I am of the opinion that the practice of 

 performing experiments on living animals is not only 

 reconcilable with true humanity, but under certain cir- 

 cumstances is imperatively demanded by it. 



Experiments .on living animals are of two kinds. 

 First, those which are made upon animals which, al- 

 though living, are incapable of sensation, in consequence 

 of the destruction or the paralysis of the sentient 

 machinery. 



I am not aware that the propriety of performing 

 experiments of this kind is seriously questioned, except 

 in so far as they may involve some antecedent or subse- 

 quent suffering. Of course those who deny that under 

 any circumstances it can be right to inflict suffering on 

 other sentient beings for our own good, must object to 

 even this much of what they call cruelty. And when 

 they prove their sincerity by leaving off animal food ; by 

 objecting to drive castrated horses, or indeed to employ 

 animal labour at all ; and by refusing to destroy rats, 

 mice, fleas, bugs and other sentient vermin, they may 

 expect sensible people to listen to them, and sincere people 

 to think them other than sentimental hypocrites. 



As to experiments of the second kind, which do not 

 admit of the paralysis of the sentient mechanism, and the 

 performance of which involves severe prolonged suffering 

 to the more sensitive among the higher animals, I should 

 be sorry to make any sweeping assertion. I am aware of 

 a strong personal dislike to them, which tends to warp 

 my judgment, and I am prepared to make any allowance 



