EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
273 
necessity. Far be it from us to deny that physiological 
science cannot be advanced bv well-considered experiments, 
but it is the repetition of these, merely to gratify a morbid 
appetite, or to demonstrate to tyros in medicine that which is 
already received as an axiom, against which we have raised our 
voice. If these positions be untenable, what must be the one 
which calls for a continuance of the inhuman practice, on 
the ground that students learn by cutting into living tissues 
to maintain confidence during the struggles of the poor unfor¬ 
tunate victim, and not to sicken at the sight of flowing blood. 
By ceaseless perseverance, however, backed as it has 
been by public opinion in this country, and also by many 
eminent physiologists, the Society may now be said to 
have achieved its mission, or, at any rate, to have removed 
most of the difficulties in the way of its success. A deputa¬ 
tion, consisting of General Sir John Scott Lillie, Mr. Gur¬ 
ney, M.P., Mr. John Curling, and the Rev. T. Jackson, to 
whom Professor Spooner was added, but was unable to leave 
London, has a second time visited Paris, and been admitted 
to an audience with the Emperor, through the kind services 
of Lord Cowley. “ The deputation called the attention of his 
Majesty to the subject, and explained that it had long 
occupied the attention of the Paris Society, and also that of 
similar societies in Europe. The Emperor, without wishing 
to prejudge the scientific part of the question, assured the 
deputation that an inquiry should be instituted on the 
matter.” 
So far everything looks well, and sincerely do we con¬ 
gratulate the Society, and also our own profession, whose 
distinguished position as Veterinary practitioners has not 
been built on the pedestal of wanton cruelty, on the surrender 
of the outworks of this citadel of torture. 
THE COLEMAN PRIZE. 
The subject selected by the Governors of the College for 
competition this year among the students was, The gene¬ 
ral and comparative anatomy of the skin of domesticated 
animals, with its physiology; and also the nature, causes, 
