Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-05-25
THE VIVISECTION BILL
A Personal Appeal by Physicians and
Scientists
A Petitioner for Anti-Vfvfsection Leg
fusfng to Withdraw His Signature.

| The interest that has gathered about the
| subject of vvisecton in view of possible
| legislation by Congress prohibiting the
practice in the District of Columbia shows
no signs Of tagging. A number of mem
| bers Of the medical and scientific fraterni-
ties of Washington who are opposed to the
bill have united in an appeal. individ-
| tally by circular, to those who signed
the petition to Congress in favor of the
passage of an anti-vivisection bill This
| circular asks the petitioners to divest
| themselves of prejudice and look at the
| question from the standpoint Of the physi-
| clan and man of science, and IL convinced
that the proposed legislation is unneces-
| sary to withdraw their names from the
| petition. The physicians urge that those
who demand anti-vivsection laws are not
| informed as to the actual experimentation
| upon living animals, and that if they knew
| what consideration was shown for the eX-
| emption Of these subjects of experiment
| from suffering there would be less support
| Tor what the scientists regard an I'M
| called-for law The doctors ask that in
| vestigation precede legislation
The circular says, among other things:
"A remarkable circumstance in connec-
| ton with this subject is that the experts
| in all departments Of scientific research
are arrayed against this legislation, while
| on the other side are jurists, clergymer,
| olicers OF the army, gentlemen and ladies
prominent in social circles and charitable
| work, etc.
| I'VE frmlv beIiava that tb;s Sc duo - a.
fact that those opposing the legisla ton
| are better informed to the methods en-
ployed IN experimenting upon the lower
! ,oa,ts ioi such ehperi-
| tanned, and not to any Indifference 10 pain
inflicted in carrying out such experiments
W assert from positive knowledge that
| ana an, lnetlcs are haoltually employed in
| me pioioelcai and pathological labora tories
| IN TINS District when painful experimental
| operations are performed upon vertebrate
| animals
| We are opposed to vivisection expert
| mehts In the public schools. and our only
objection to that portion of the bill in dues-
| ton which prohibits such experiments IS
| that so far as we are Informed, It is un-
| necessary. We contend that evidence Of
| cruel experiments performed elsewhere IS
| not a sufficient reason fer urging Congress
to pass laws placing restrictions upon ami
| NAL experimentation in this District
| I'VE beg leave to call your attention to
a sentimental objection which has great
| weight in inducing US to oppose this lcgiS-
! iation. 1t is the assumption that those
| engaged in scientific research work are
| less humane than those not so engaged,
| but who profit directly or indirectly from
| the results attained; that legislation is
| required to cause them to administer an
aesthetics for the prevention of pam; that
they should be subjected to espionage and
penalties by act of Congress, when they
are devotng their lives to the advance
ment of human knowledge and to research
| IS having in view the relief of human
| suffering ard the prevention of animal
| diseases, while those who infiict far
greater pain upon the lower animals for
| sport for gain not subjected to sim
| liar legal restrictions"
The circular is signed by Dr. S. c. Busey,
| president Medical Society of the District:
Or. Geo. NJ. sternberg, surgeon general. L.
S. A; Walter Wyman, surgeon general, L.
| ;. marine hospital service; DR.. ID. +. Sal
mon, chef OF the bureau OF animal in
| dustry; DIR. u. l.. Magruder, dean of the
| medical department, Georgetown CniVer-
sltE; Dr. n. H. Barker, dean OF the medical
uepaFllnent OF the National University
Ut. Z. IS fufViS, secretary medlcal depart
| tmeht OF hoWatu INlNerst!' Ut. u. N
.1Llute, utdH Vi me lhe!lcai tePaI lIiienl OF
| Ihe Nol'ihD,"h Cii. elSitS, III. W. T. arr
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anu ~. j. H. II , o'i' SUI seoi4 general -
nay DE- D.. ,,,, 49, --. e
MI n. I,9,S It'iE, VINO WIS one OF mos.
! ti' 21 - N - ijii ~ N t; Ssa9e %
| circular alluded to, resprrdrG win Tho
| following Reasons for reIsisting in his
! p"SSl'ioi On 'iT iu-slIoi d. ISL. 1 nave
| ia,trr sienad hv vdn asl-fIrr M 70 Z,.ith
draw my signature to a petition in favor
or the anti-ViNlsection bill row pending be
lore Ihs ,oiISiess Oh me mica states: l
-. I'm - tO'tlt tii"S an J"9OiliSN
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What is NfvisectiOnf
at et us first understand what this neti-
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