The morning times., 1896-04-18
ON The VIvISEcTIOH Bill
Friends and Opponents Given a
Hearing by the Senate.
DEBATED THE AMENDMENT !
Opposition Objects Strongly to the
Exception of Government Labra-
tories From Its Provisions-Use OF
AnaestIetics Debated-Changes
in the Original Measure.

Surgeon General Sternberg of tue United
States Army, DR.. Albert LeffingwelI OF
Cambridge, Mass. and other learned per-
sons were heard yesterday afternoon by
a Senate subcommittee on the subject OF
vivisection. DR.. Gallinger, chairman OF
the subcommittee, listened to the argu-
ments throughout.
Tue bill under consideration was modi-
fcation of the Mcmillan Henderson bill
The hearing was at the request of the
antivivisection committee of the Wash.
ington Humane Society. The members We're
all present, as follows: Mrs. EDoch Tot
ten. NJ rs. NJ r. KDowlton. Mrs Gen.
II. V. BoyDtoD. Mrs. II. l.. B. Mcfarland.
Miss n. A. Peet and Mrs. CrammoDd Ken
ncdy. DR.. W. P Hay of the High School
Geological depa partment and Others were
also present.
The facts in favor of the enactment OF
the proposed law were presented by DR..
Leffingwell, Mr.. r. Ross Perry and Mr..
Crammond Kennedy, while DR.. Sternberg.
DR.. A. Il. Salmon, DR.. Charles W. Stiles
OF the Bureau of Animal Industry spoke
on the other side.
Incidentally in closing his remarks DR..
LeffingweIl iDtimated that there has been
good deal of nonsense for year or two
in regard TO aDti-toxine, and said there
was very grave doubt as to the alleged
great efficacy OF the preparation as
preventive of diphtheria. He had the
concurrence of DR.. Gailinger in the remark
that there have been good many genuine
old-fashioned biunders in medical affairs
in the past five years.
ARGUMENTS OF ITS OPPONENTS.
Theargument for the bill consisted mainly
i'll the presentation of facts familiar TO all
who have paid any attention to the anti
vivisection movement, showing the alleged
cruelties which have been practtsed in
the name of science.
Against the bin it was urged that there
| was absolutely no demand for it here, a
10 unjustifiable vivisection was carried
! on. This even DR.. Lefingwell was ready
| to believe. But unless the advocates of
| the bin could show there was something
| for the law TO correct they had failed to
prove any necessity for Congress being
| troubled with the bill.
Further, it was stated that it was I'M
| practicable to comply with the regulation
as to inspection and license in government
work. Also the requirements as to vivi-
| section being allowed only by physicians
were unwise, as many of the most eminent
| scientists are not physicians, although
| they are actively and successfully enga ged
| i'll the kind of investigation which the law
| seeks to regulate.
The passage of this bill, 1t was pointed
| throughout the States, and in many locali-
| ties where not enough scientific men could
be found to make successful opposition and
| where even more onerous conditions would
| probably be imposed.
Mr. Stiles stated that there was little
| yivisection here except for incubation, and
| in that there was very slight cutting and
| little pain.
| OBJECTED TO NoN-PRACTITIONER
/ hot ~
| scientific men who had never practiced
| vivisection, nor seen 1t, should not be
| counted of equal authority in this matter
| with those who are familiar with the
/ details.
The bill. as discussed, was modified
after an inquiry by committee appointed
by the Commissioners. This committee
| consisted of DR.. Sternberg. Health OFFICER
| Woodward. and Mr.. Henry F. B. Mac
farland. Drs. Sternberg and Woodward
opposed any legislation, while Mr.. Mac
-Farland changed the Mcmillan Henderson
bill to meet objections raised.
Mr.. Macfarland's statement, read by
Mr.. Kennedy, shows that his associates OF
the committee were from the first op
posed to any legislation whatever and
would not consider the Mcmillan bill
They presented to the Commissioners pro
tests against any such legislation.
The Commissioners then reported In
| favor of the Mcmillan bill but witt
I amendments, which Mr.. Macfarland be
lieves would greatly impair its value
1t does not require the use OF anaesthetic.
In the experiments and excepts all gov
ernment labora tories.
Mr.. Mcfarland says he made the changes
IN the bill as suggested by his associates
on the committee, so far as possible, with
out impairing its value. One OF TIL
amendments exempts from the required
use Of anaesthetics all inoculation expert
ments. tests OF drugs, and experiment.
In recovery from cases Of surgical pro
| cedure.