EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
673 
to show that lie concurred in the opinion I have long ago expressed myself, 
viz., that vivisection has only tended to obscure the questions it sought to 
solve, and thus to impede, pervert, or indefinitely postpone other and more 
philosophical modes of research. My reply will of course state fully the 
facts on which these assertions rest, and be also, I trust, a brief exposition 
of that defective philosophy of which vivisection is an illustration, and of 
which the present conjectural condition of medical science is the necessary 
product. 
En attendant , your insertion of this letter may do some good, in helping 
to excite that rigorous examination of the subject, which is, in all matters of 
science, the one thing needful. 
I am, sir, yours, &c., 
George Macilwain, E.R.C.S. 
3, Court Yard, Albany ; Oct. 12. 
As we have also been favoured with a copy of the report 
alluded to by Mr. Macilwain, we here give it insertion. 
It speaks so plainly for itself, that comment from us, and 
especially under existing circumstances, is not required. 
REPORT ON VIVISECTION MADE TO THE SOCIETY EOR THE 
PROTECTION OE ANIMALS, IN PARIS. 
In the Name of a Commission , composed of Messrs. Barault-Roullon, Dr. 
Blatin, Dr. J. Cloquet, H. De Castleneau, Crepin, Dr. Carteaux, 
Aug. Dumeril, I. Godfrey-Saint-Hilaire, Dr. Baron Heurteloup, 
Err. Kaufmann, Leblanc, Due de Larochefoucatjlt Doudeau- 
ville, Dr. Lobligeois, Magne, Vicomte de Valmer, and A. Sanson, 
Reporter. 
Societies formed for the prevention of cruelty to 
animals, could not fail to be deeply moved at the sight of 
the sufferings imposed upon the brute creation with the aim 
of making experiments for the benefit of surgical science. 
Already have several of these humane institutions loudly pro¬ 
claimed in the most absolute terms, their opposition against 
the practice of vivisection, that is to say, against all those 
torturing operations practised upon the living animal, with 
no other aim than that of scientific improvement. 
Our society, ladies and gentlemen, has, for a long time 
past, felt a desire to be enabled, by practical acquaintance 
with the subject, to come to a decision upon this important 
question. The society has, therefore, honoured us with the 
mission of examining the details of the matter, and we are 
about’ to lay before you the elements of a solution of this 
most difficult point in the clearest and most practical manner 
possible. 
The aim of every Society for the Prevention of Cruelty 
to Animals, is to put an end, by every available means, to 
the great cruelties exercised towards dumb animals. With 
