The New York herald., 1876-07-07
CRUELTY TO TURTLES.
HENRY BERGHs vIxws ON THE QUESTION OF
TREATING THE TooTHsoME cRUsrAcxA.
y,,i,x

HENRY BERGH's vIxws ON THE QUESTION OF
TREATING THE TooTHsoME cRUsTACBA.
New YoRk, July 6, 1876.
TO EDITOR hERALD:-
Your otherwise accurate report Of the turtle case,
in the Court of Special Sessions omitted the
psrtant feature Of H. to wit:the astounding verdict,
necessary cruelty" Where Mr.. Justice Bixby OBJ
tanned his legal authority for this decision he would
not allow me 10 inquire, but as you correctly
state, refused hearing Il is true that represent
Two OF the highest loyal Offices the State all mat
relating 10 the protection OF animals but suppose
he thought he had good anu sufficient for
mandng me to "sit down." do not complain, Tor
have boon many years accustomed to rebuke for
trying TO do n duty which else will undertake
to perform Tor the public in my stead, that, like
Smiks whom asked II he not hungry, and re-
plcd mo- Am used TO H." so, likewise, replied TO
gentleman the alluded TO, who inquired
Of me how managed TO endure all the treatment
received without murmur, that al used to IL; the
cause is everything; matter for me-" But 10 the
point
You a that laws have been enacted for the
prevention Of cruelty 10 aalnaIs and a society char
thing legal necessary or justinabe cruelty rho
word cruelty IN ITSELF ike tho word murder. imports
legal meaning OF offence. such Is tho law, and
such e the supreme authority of the State.
The prosecution produced Witnesses TO establish the
overt act, and then put the stand two gentlemen
highly distinguished for their scientific
and tneIr psrIcular knowledge OF the structure and
habits OF The animal IN question-namely, Professor
Chandler PRECEDENT OF the Health Board, Dr. A. N
Bell, editor Of tho Sanitd,1dn both OF whom
phacay testified that the treatment described did
physical pain und suffering TO the creature and
unnecessary, besides vitating Ihe flesh OF tho
man or human iood Believing that tho case for the
people bad been subs,an,ased hcre rested For the
expert Q minister OF the Gospel,n and, strange
to say, Baptist, who stated that hc
had been experimenting IN back yard two turtles.
OF winch he ned the manner charged the
paint and the other he allowed large.
bound and lad on Its back "ieIt moro comfort
able " IN his opinion than the that enjoy ing
his liberty and ndependence-a declaration which
hold to be equally a. variance with both physical and
moral law The only question that iet desirous or
putting to the reverend gentleman was ruled by His
Honor to bc inadmssable-o wit, how far Il comported
his sacred duty minister Of the Gospel TO
try PAINFUL experiments helpless dumb animals, and
TO volunteer his views IN opposition 10 society whose
solo mission 10 mercy to the sunerins ono OF The most
adorable attributes OF our common Father in Heaven.
And thus terminated or the present tho third attempt
to extend 70 the turtle the same humane provisions Of
law which have succeeded reforming the cruel prac-
tioe binding the OF calves and sheep and trans
malice any tho Society, IL true, has failed In
IFS humane purposes in this instance.
reflection may be excused for giving utter
ance TO- and ina, is the regret feel that portion OF
the press should strive to make personal matter OF
that winch Of general import, ami employ extra
sized type IN announcing 1.-THE gnominous defeat OF
Mr. Bergb &C" Now, mat person has not sustained
any defeat whatever He IS but an agent Of the law,
and defeat thefc be II 10 rather the laws and the
cause OF humanity when suffer thereby, not he Re-
spectluy, HENRY BERGH, President
supplemental to the communication which | nave
the honor send you Tor publication I enclose ex-
tracts IRON some OF the letters sent sustaining
the humane side Of the % question;
for when dragged IRON their natural place, tied that
they may not 90 able to move, turned upside down,
Gc simply absurd IL 10 true that they live for
q long time without food drink; but they do ieel
PAIN, and indeed very sensitive to some injuries
That OF turning upside down, among Others Is sum
cient or instance, 10 prevent their eggs from match
ing Their kuferings may be inferred by the violent
their ns gives and yet 10 this proceeding dealers
In turtles generally resort In order 10 tic them
closely and pack large number in smaller space"
Professor Chandler President Of the Health Board,
ds:-"Thcre s no doubt that these animals are
keenly sensitive 10 the tortures OF punctured nns and
inverted position, that the flesh these well
OF all animals that have subjected pro-
onged suffering is unht for food fully agree with
Mr. Bereh IN his condemnation Of the barbarites
practiscd upon turtles"
Or. A. n. Bell editor Of the Sanifar,dn, says:-"It
decidedly cruel TO pierce their nns ought TO be
prohiblied. Any one who Will lake the pains 10
examine the structure of the turtle will become
vnced that rs not wanting in its nervous portion 70
degree which renders II insensibc TO paIn, hut the
contrary. The position adds 10 the cruelty. II long
kept up results In causing diseased condition OF rs
flesh, rendering II unwhocsomc-a condton common
10 ali animals used for food sore Or wound in any
part mpairs the quality o the OF the whole and
this rendered worse by teasing, overdrivng conne
mcnt &c &c, OF The animals, Tor food without cxccp
tlou And have NO doubt whatever that she flesh OF
animals thus treated prolinc source OF disease"
Dr. Charles Bern ck friend and student OF the great
Roktanssy, OF VIENNA also ssys;-'The turtle Is an
amphibious animal and ~ cruel TO deprive II Of
water It's cruc TO keep Il on It's back; and the
sequences Of this prolonged position tho back and
OF this cruel treatment are nervous prosraon, trreg
uiarhy Of the circulation Of the blood, accumulation
and siagnation OF blood IN these parts-accordins TO
| the laws Of gravity enlargement tcongeston) and
rupture OF the vessels spopx and the destruction Of
the surrounding tissues. Alter death these ANIMALS
dccompose very soon, therefore they are not whole
| iood
| Dr. Percy says, ''The turtle is smphibous AMI
mall and natural state docs not remain long out
OF water IL 70 cruel 10 pierce its fms and keep II on
It's back THIS position would dispace tho visccra,