[THE Theosophical Publishing Services has been requested by a
member of The Anti Vivisection Society to insert the following articles in "Theosophical Sittings". The
T. P. S. is pleased to be able to afford a wider scope for the untiring efforts of these lovers of the defenceless
brute creation. As this subject is also of great interest to many Theosophists, the T. P. S. sincerely hopes
that they will give their sympathetic approval ]
The following is an attempt to give a short account of Vivisection in England. It is a sad task, for one unavoidably
reverts to former days, when our people, as a nation, shuddered at the whispered rumours of Majendie's atrocities
in France, and we, alas ! perhaps plumed ourselves upon our superiority to our neighbours. A speech in the House
of Commons of Mr, Martin, M.P. for Galway, February 24th, 1825, describing one of Majendie's experiments,
too horrible to copy, was received with cries of" Shame ! "and manifestations of great disgust. About
the same time Dr. John Reid, of Edinburgh and St. Andrews, pursued a similar course of long protracted unmitigated
tortures, but mark this, it was done secretly, shyly, conscience did not then speak, but he knew that the best
men in Scotland, and also the general public voice, would condemn the practices and shun the perpetrator. How
changed is Scotland now; yet still there are in it hearts and voices which protest unceasingly against what is
now unblushingly avowed, and, protected by license, done with full impunity.
One cheering thing I must thankfully record, [Life of Dr. John Reid, by George Wilson, M.D. ] Dr.
Reid's deep heartfelt repentance. The warning came through long-continued agonies in the same tongue-nerves upon
which he had specially operated, and this, he owned, was not for expected relief of human sufferings; the motive
always being scientific fame. His full and sorrowful confession must lead us to deep pity and thankfulness for
such a change of heart, would that it might prove a salutary warning. The discovery of chloroform, etc., gave
rise to illusory hopes, but hear what Dr. George Hoggan says: "I am inclined to look upon anaesthetics
as the greatest curse to vivisectible animals. . . . They indeed prove far more efficacious in lulling the public
feeling towards the vivisector than pain for the vivisected". Dr.
Hoggan also refers to curari, which paralyzes voluntary motion and heightens sensation. We well know this now,
we also know how innumerable are the experiments depending on the actual pain caused by them. [Page 4]
Let us turn to the brighter side and the efforts made to resist these atrocities when creeping in to our hospitals
and medical schools. In 1870, at the meeting of the British Association at Liverpool, resolutions in the biological
section were drawn up minimizing experiments to a great degree.
Of course these well-intended resolutions possessed no legal authority, the sorrowful comment is shown by the
1874-5 Reports of Experiments in our London University College, Guy's Hospital, and Westminster Hospital Medical
School, this latter adds, "Gentlemen will themselves perform the experiments so far as opportunities permit".
The disgusting Norwich experiments, conducted by Dr. Magnan, upon two dogs, by the injection of absinthe and
alcohol in 1874, and the subsequent trial, aroused the public at last, and the result was the Royal Commission
in 1875 —1876, where the friends of animals had small chance of an impartial hearing. Its results was the
Cruelty to Animals Act of 1876. This, when introduced by Lord Carnarvon into the House of Lords was a far more
satisfactory measure than after its changes in the House of Commons, where the Medical Profession proved too
strong for Ministers.
The Bill was, and is in itself, stringent, but the exceptional clauses obtained completely cancel each safeguard
in succession. The Bill now only serves to mislead the public. Probably no Act for Restriction could have prevented
evasions, this one is utterly futile, it has an Inspector, himself a vivisector, who simply receives and transmits
the statements of the operating Vivisectors themselves, they of course, report the smallest possible amount of
suffering in all their experiments.
Meanwhile the London Anti-Vivisection Society, after much private effort in the same cause, had been inaugurated
in June, 1876, on the ground of the entire Prohibition of Vivisection.
This, the earliest London Society, was quickly followed by the International Society for the same object. At
that time many humane persons flattered themselves that Government measures, sooner or later, would do all that
was needful. Thus the Victoria Street Society "for the Protection of Animals" acted, doing their best
for poor animals whilst waiting for amendments which never arrived. This position became at last unbearable,
and at a meeting in August, 1878, under the presidency of the late honoured Earl of Shaftesbury, the principle
and the resolution of the Total Prohibition of Vivisection was proposed and carried. After a time the International
joined the Victoria Society on this firm common ground, common alike to them and to the London Society. All can
now work with redoubled zeal in the same noble cause. It is very encouraging [Page 5] likewise
to remark that in the United States similar results have followed. The friends of Animals began there with efforts
to restrict vivisection. They came very soon to the English and Scotch conclusion, viz., that the one only safe
reliable standpoint for the protectors of dumb helpless creatures is the Prohibition of Vivisection, for this
they continually work; they can be content with no less.
I must not trespass on more space, or it would be easy to show the danger of small beginnings, the impossibility
of real safeguards, and the moral, as well as physical evils arising from this sinful practice, from which we desire
to keep our own nation, and to utter a voice of kindly
warning to every land, distant or near.
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