1883.] 
( i75 ) 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
%* The Editor does not hold himself responsible for statements of fadts or 
opinions expressed in Correspondence, or in Articles bearing the signature 
of their respective authors. 
“ DISUNION IN THE CAMP.” 
Mr. T. M. Dolan’s able letter in our last issue requires a few 
remarks on our part. 
We denied, and we still deny, the existence of a class of per- 
sons who would torture animals under pretence of research. 
We can find no signs of such a class. The Secretary of the 
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, in his evidence 
before the Commissioners, admitted that he knew of no instances 
of wanton cruelty. Dr. Simon, in his Address as quoted by our 
correspondent, speaks of this class as “ imaginary.” Knowing 
how unscrupulous and adroit our enemies are in perverting the 
public utterances of medical and other scientific men, we cannot 
help feeling that Mr. T. M. Dolan’s words will be used as an 
admission that such persons really exist. 
As regards our respe(5live “ methods of warfare,” we doubt if 
any kind of language will have an effecft upon the leaders of the 
anti-scientific movement. But if we can expose their sophisms, 
and show their want of truthfulness and their inconsistency, we 
may adl upon those who have been duped. As far as our me- 
mory serves us, the most successful agitations have been charac- 
terised by a very liberal use of language much stronger than we 
have been in the habit of employing. The taCtics of the “Anti- 
Vivisedtionists” themselves have mainly consisted in continually 
“ throwing dirt,” in the hope that some of it might stick. 
Mr. T. M. Dolan holds that a repeal of the Vivisection ACt, in 
toto, is, in the present temper of English society, an impossibility. 
We grant this proposition. But the present temper has been 
produced by agitation, — thanks in great part to the supineness 
of scientific men, — and by agitation it may be modified. We 
would, indeed, accept the “ Lancet ” programme for the time 
being, but only as a temporary instalment. In the meantime 
we think exception may be fairly taken to a certain point in the 
passage from the “ Lancet,” as quoted by our correspondent ; — 
“ We do claim that skilled experimenters— physiologists, patholo- 
