1882.1 
535 
Experimentation in Biology. 
aura (if it really has appeared) was due to insufficient venti- 
lation, permitting the stagnant accumulations of pestiferous 
emanations from the diseased body of the departing saint. 
VI. EXPERIMENTATION IN BIOLOGY. 
By Oswald Dawson. 
“ Another field, as yet almost unworked, lies open to enquiry. . . . 
Organic Physiology has not afforded such assistance to Zoology as it 
might have done if it had been less exclusively forced into the service 
of practical medicine. An immense number of questions bearing the 
highest general scientific importance lie open to physiological enquiry 
in the vast number of different species of animals.” —Karl Semper. 
“ That introduces a new element into the question, . . . which 
leads us necessarily into very serious conceptions and questions of 
the nature of our whole being and moral responsibilities.” — Henry 
Wentworth Acland. 
S HE above quotations sufficiently indicate the purpose 
of this Article : a multiplicity of circumstances com- 
bine to render prolonged delay in discussing the subject 
a matter for rebuke ; certain of these may be enumerated, — 
viz., a short time ago an Association was formed for the ad- 
vancement of medicine by research : in the event of this 
Association effecting the repeal of restriction biologists are 
free to investigate, thus availing themselves of liberty and 
publishing details at a time when defeat has rekindled the 
energies of the “ anti ” leagues. The latter will inevitably 
then distinguish between medical and biological vivisection. 
Consequently they will postpone further efforts to abolish or 
limit anew the former class, till the latter is suppressed ; 
meanwhile medicine will be unconcerned to rescue its pre- 
sent ally, and biology will again be in the position it is to- 
day. This “ Journal ” alone has conspicuously recognised 
and insisted upon the claims of biological vivisection, and 
made exertions to secure those claims ; but co-operation not 
forthcoming upon renewed invitation, it is abandoning its 
endeavours, save indirectly by aiding an association with a 
distinct ultimate objeCt. Reflection will show this policy, 
being so readily capable of false interpretation, as hypocritical 
