866 . The American Naturalist. [October, 
veins he has demonstrated that cholesterine—z.c., the excretion of 
the liver—is the product of nerve action. Thus he was enabled 
to study that condition of blood poisoning which results from:an 
abnormal accumulation of cholesterine in the vital fluid. 
By means of vivisection we have been led to the present 
advanced state of knowledge in regard to the processes of diges- 
ticn, assimilation, and nutrition. 
Thus the Old World, leaning upon the staff of experience, is 
steadily advancing, climbing the lofty heights of science with a 
firm and certain tread. But we Americans, an enterprising nation, 
are sitting idly by, shackled by false ideas of humanity, while 
over our heads hangs an obscuring pall called the laws prohibiting 
vivisection. 
Who are making the great scientific discoveries, the investiga- 
tions and researches of to-day ? Who are advancing every branch 
of medical and surgical science? Who are the great protectors 
of humanity? Answer, the vivisectors. 
Science cannot advance without the aid of vivisection ; there- 
fore vivisection must and will be practiced, in spite of laws and 
governments. Then why not regulate and control the practice 
of vivisection, instead of prohibiting it ? 
Congress should be urged to passa law making the art of 
vivisection part of the curriculum of every reputable medical 
college. Our government should assist and encourage scientific 
vivisectors in their researches and investigations, just as England, 
Germany, France, and Austria have done during the last century, 
by offering capital prizes and honorary medals to scientists, 
microscopists, and physiologists. Why not ? Allis jn the interest 
of science, and principally for the protection of humanity against 
diseases. 
But at the same time this process, this science of vivisection, 
should not be free to every meddler and dabbler in science. It 
should be practiced only by scientists, such as expert microscop- 
ists, physiologists, and pathologists. If an ordinary physician or 
other learned man wishes to practice vivisection for study or 
experimental purposes, let him be compelled to do so under the 


