721 
1885.] Physiology and its Opponents. 
to turn round upon the physiologist who inflicts, in a few 
instances, pain in pursuit of knowledge ? Of all the incon- 
sistencies which have stained human nature, this, surely, is 
the most glaring. 
Another argument of the Bestiarians, or what passes for 
argument with them and their dupes, is to call the physio- 
logist “ cold-blooded.” He aCts, of necessity, calmly and 
deliberately, and is therefore, forsooth, to be execrated, 
whilst the sportsman, the aggressive soldier, Muscovite or 
other, the cock-fighter, bull-baiter, and the like, is to be 
pardoned because he gets excited ! 
To this Mr. Robertson replies that, “ thoughtlessness in 
sport, as in everything else, makes against civilization.” 
But we may go further ; the fox-hunter is, doubtless, 
excited when the hounds are in full cry, and when he plies 
whip and spur, dashing onwards to be in at the death. 
But was the same sportsman excited when he carefully 
selefted his hunter, when he bought and donned the orthodox 
costume, when he subscribed to the hounds, and when he 
rode to the meet ? We trow not ; we believe that in all 
these things he aaed as deliberately — as ‘‘cold-bloodedly 
if you prefer it — as does the experimental physiologist in 
carrying out his researches. 
“ In the field of battle, where every man in each contend- 
ing army fights for home and country under the inspiia- 
tion of enthusiasm, ambition, or the desire for renown,” as 
that “ facile sciolist,” Dr. Anna Kingsford, exclaims, the 
individual soldier may get excited. But where is the excite- 
ment in an imperial chancellerie when the command, or the 
tacit permission, is given to attack some unoffending neigh- 
bour ? 
Here, surely, if anywhere, is “ cold blood.” Yet, if report 
belie him not, an eminent statesman has recently joined 
the Bestiarian ranks who, not very many years ago, quietly 
prepared for a struggle, and then deliberately, and of malice 
aforethought, tempted an unprepared neighbour to declare 
war. 
“ Blood,” it seems, may be freely shed provided it is 
only not that of dogs, and “ iron ” may be used with the 
full sanction of Bestiarian oracles, if only it be in the shape 
of bayonet and sabre, and not of scalpel. 
Mr. Robertson asks “ Ought we to help to maintain 
close checks on vivisection whilst those who oppose the 
practice not only clamour for its entire suppression, but 
openly make light of barbarous piaCtices, as to the im- 
morality and perniciousness of which theie can be no 
