330 Vivisection . [July, 
We have now to ask, What is it that the anti-vivisedfion- 
ists want, and what concessions would induce them to drop 
the subject and return to pursuits for which they are less 
glaringly unqualified ? Here we must confess that, like all 
agitators, political or social, they enjoy a great and unfair 
advantage. With a Government, or a municipal body, or 
an incorporated company, it is at least possible to negociate, 
because there is in such cases some responsible head whose 
actions and words bind the body which he represents. But 
who is to bind an agitation like this ? Suppose some of its 
most prominent representatives give to-day a formal state- 
ment of their views and of their requirements, to-morrow 
the whole transaction may be repudiated by a number of 
their coadjutors. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
to Animals has, indeed, we suppose, an organisation and 
certain responsible officials, but can it bind all its members? 
Nay, have we not reason to suppose that every concession 
will be regarded as a mere instalment, to be immediately 
followed by fresh demands until total abolition is accom- 
plished ? This, and this only, and not regulation or 
Governmental inspection, is the real objeCt held in view, 
and therefore we protest against the slightest concession. 
Before going in detail into some of the modest demands 
made upon the Legislature, we may consider what 
the term “ Vivisection ” is, in humanitarian circles, meant 
to cover. We shall be greatly mistaken if we confine the 
word to its strict grammatical sense. It is used where, 
accurately speaking, there is no “ section ” at all. Thus 
experiments upon animals to discover remedies for poisons 
or for diseases, or to test the aCtion of some newly-discovered 
drug or chemical would be as decidedly inhibited as the 
cutting of a nerve or the irritation of some particular portion 
of the brain. Nay, it even appears that to place any animal 
under abnormal circumstances in order to observe the result 
would be criminal. For instance, the present writer has 
been engaged with experiments on the aCtion of different 
colours of light, different temperatures and kinds of diet 
upon the development of certain inseCts. Should the anti- 
vi viseCtionists gain the day, he will have to discontinue his 
experiments under the prospeCt of imprisonment. Thus, in 
facCt, physiological experimentation, as far as animals are 
concerned, will be at an end. Now let us look to the de- 
mands of the enemies of science, for as such they must be 
manifestly regarded. One proposal was “ to render unlawful 
any experiment made for the mere (!) advancement of 
science.” They could scarcely have given a more signal 
proof of their ignorance, and of their consequent unfitness 
