412 
Analyses of Books. [July, 
authenticated than this systematic narcotising of creatures expe- 
rimented on, it is quietly and constantly ignored ; vivisection is 
described (by Miss Cobbe) as the ‘ worst form of cruelty we 
know,’ and the words ‘ agony,’ ‘ torture,’ and 4 torment ’ are scat- 
tered about as if no such things existed as chloroform, ether, and 
morphia.” The number of experiments in which pain — not even 
apparently great — was produced during the years 1878, 1879, and 
1880, amounted, according to the official report, to less than 100 ! 
Truly a drop in the bucket compared with the sufferings of ani- 
mals in other causes than the pursuit of knowledge ! 
In the sixth chapter the author explains the necessity of expe- 
riment to physiology. From this chapter, which we strongly 
recommend to the careful study of our non-medical — or, more 
widely speaking, non-biological — readers, we can merely quote 
the following pregnant passage : — 44 Those who defend physiolo- 
gical experiment as an absolute necessity to medicine do so — 
not because this or that drug has been discovered by its means, 
this or that operation perfected through its practice. They defend 
it, because without it medicine is based upon ignorance, and 
every doctor is a charlatan patching at a wonderful mechanism 
of which he knows nothing. They defend it, because it is the 
foundation upon which physiology as a science stands. The 
pseudo-sciences rest upon theorising, guess-work, and empiri- 
cism ; a true science rests upon experiment. If physiology be 
deprived of this necessary foundation it will be degraded through 
no fault of its disciples ; it will not fall to pieces, because that 
which has been won cannot be taken away, but it will be unable 
to encroach any further upon the morass of human ignorance, 
because forbidden to lay a firm footing for its advancing tread. 
But, after all, interests differ. There are some who do not care 
for that morass to be invaded. 4 Quand on veut dessecher un 
marais, on ne fait pas voter les grenouilles.’ ” In England, un- 
fortunately, we allow the frogs to vote, and they croak loudly 
enough, in Parliament, in public meetings, and in the pages of 
certain of our contemporaries. 
In the last chapter of his book the author discusses the legis- 
lation on the subject — past, present, and possible. Concerning 
such legislation he writes : — 44 It is very curious and interesting, 
and has the great merit of being peculiarly British. That is to 
say, it is not trammelled by any principle previously laid down 
or hindered by any consideration of reasoning or consistency. 
To found a new law upon a distinct principle, from which its 
enactments develop logically, has a Continental flavour about it 
displeasing to the national mind, and reminds us in some way of 
centralisation.* We prefer to make a fresh regulation every now 
and then, when somebody makes a fuss and it is necessary to do 
* In one sphere at least we submit humbly enough to the sway of a cen- 
tralising bureaucracy. 
