The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-02-13

President Bcrsh and the Doctors.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.

TO The EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
New YORK. Feb IL. 1857.
In Jour Albany letter In to-day's edition your re-
porter says that at the convention OF doctors
held at that city the subject OF vivsecon debated
at length, with view 10 defeating the passage of tho
mercfu bill before the Legislature introduced by
this SOC ety." and for the following reasons:-'They
declare that their experiments living animals are
absolutely for the education of medical
dents as we'll the advancement of science. We have
no right, they cooliy saw, cut up live men, aud
must rip up dumb animals in order 20 demonstrate
theories which IN no other way can be verified"
mistake, they assert. to suppose that animals
sner tortnres during these experiments for measures
are always taken 70 deaden the by means OF
pioyed."
Fefue these assumptions and assertions and protest
against this organized attempt deprive the speeches.
dependents 81 mankind Of legal protection from cruelty
'Suier me-" says Rogers an eminent English surgeon,
who visited the Veterinary College nj Abort ito give
one more fe bile illustration Of the caousness and love
Of bcodshed and torture which ultimately supplant
finer feelings Of pity and mercy the minds or tho
studenisths unteeing mirth that folly wears sight
of the fearful eye-,he compressed teeththe ptifuI
expression-the frantic strugge--the groan of agony
or the scream Of dread and torture sounding like cry
to heaven for mercy and for death be relieved their
scientific tormentorS little bay mare, he goes
10 say, Of those occasions out in the SER
vice OF mankind, having unfortunately retained life
nothing ever made by the hand OF God with lous
ripped open, skin torn and ponghad by red hot irons
ana ridded by seatons; tendons severed; hoo-
less sghtless and de.encelcss eyut ngly reared
on her bleeding feet just when gaspns for breath
diving only to show tnose present what dexteriiy had
done before death took place. rhe efec',r he adds
of these fearful rereiitons OF lty the minds OF
the students may be judged Of from the sdng OF
student who was firing horses nose. as he confessed
for pasiime y
These similar deeds Of revolving cruelty were per-
formed Tor the purpose Of illustrating theories long years
according to tn most distinguished physoloeists Of
ancient and modern times utterly useless In support Of
monies which have at my command Sir Charles Bell
dec med against experiments living animals not
only crne but eadng TO useful results easily
acqd red oy operating on dead subecs Confusion IS
monster of science" he says, land am justified in
adding that THIS monster is vivIsechon.n Coin. The
author OF a treatise physiology, wholly condemns
vivisecrion. Dr. George Wilson says:-..In every
depir mcnt OF physiological inquiry, where tho
mutila'on Of animals has been resorted to, the
same nnva led round OF discrepancy and prevails ,
Director Of one Of the imperial schools Of Franco
re-. iewng the long series Of vivse:nons, excams Is
there one OF the experiments have described which
has produced for humanity any advantage commensu-
rate with The suffering they have occasioned? have
Years ,or sauahrp IA, a h;s a;er
tended TO mislcad in their application TO human beings
ABB rne'hy. pronodnces these dssectors filthy
minded fellows " Sir Ashley Cooper who was at one
time great experimenter living animals, nowhere
attributes his famo skill This Gaen asserts
" that nothing be faacous Than these expert.
ments And finally come 70 that detestable monster
Magendc, who after tormeuting lives out Of some
400 Of heavens creatures with bis internal hand
vivisecon. frankly svowing "thnt no true physician
would consult any surgeon who obdined his knowledge
from 50 uncertain source and one which would b. SO
sure 10 mislead .
Finally as the measures which are always taken to
prevent suffering by the OF New
York In reply TO this have 70 thar two agents OF
this society have been witnesses lately Of vvisecton
by the removal Of the bra Of the creature and then
sorting to measures 70 continue e Of tho colleges
of this city and thai anesthctic employed and
was admitted by the opem or at the time. In an
other instance dog was put under the influence Of
chloroorm, or ether, and the. spleen completely
moved from the body through great incision made
therein after which II was sewn up and the animal kept
alive so long rs II could the dreadful mutla
ton.
Are heavens living creatures perpeiually be thus
tormented in order 10 afford bloody pasne for boys
who in after life are TO DO entrusted with the most
sacred interests Of socety-their sensibiies bunted
almost to the degree Of wild beasts; and that too
whel as have shown honest Llca OF necessity eA.
iss for dongS Shall just and nerciful legislation be
denied these speechess and dccpceess chaels man.
Kind simply 10 indulge the student with thu repetition Of
old practical tragedy Win Legislators close their ears
10 the agonzin1 OF those which they
owe 20 much of their happiness and, permit petition,
however numcrousiy signed to suppiant merclful
appeal OF this society? trust not
have the honor 10 be your most obeident servant,
HENRY BERGH