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'V( ' 
XXX VII I. An Account of fome Experiments 
on the Senfebility and Irritability of the 
fever al Parts of Animals ; in a Letter 
from Richard Brocklefby, Af. Z>. F. R. S. 
to the P^everend Thomas Birch, D. D, 
Seer, R, S, 
Dear Sir, 
Read June 19 , yi New dodrinc fomc time fince pro- 
*75S- y \ pagated by a mofb faithful ob- 
ferver of the animal oeconomy, Dr. Haller, the il- 
luhrioirs commentator on Boerhaave’s inftitutions, 
prevailed on me to do violence to my own temper, 
whilft I was to be witnefs to the fuccefs of mofl of 
the experiments, which have been mentioned in his 
Di[Jertatio?i upon the Irritability oj animal Fibres^ as 
it deferves to be diflinguiflied from fenfibility. 
Nothing Hiort of the general importance of this 
inquiry could have induced me to be fpedlator of 
fuch cruelties, as indeed I have been within this 
month paft. But as I fliall anticipate partly the con- 
clufions, that every gentleman converfant in fuch 
matters will drawf om what follows afterwards, 1 am 
confident, that, however cruel my experiments may 
at firft hearing found in your cars, yet in the end 
you will conclude, that the pain and mifery by me 
caufed even to the vidtims of this fubjedt, were to be 
regarded much lels than what happens every day in 
Smhhfield to twenty oxen and Iheep, by cutting off 
their tails, and other parts of the Ikin, and driving 
them miles afterwards. 
But 
