The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-03
ANTI-VIVISECTION
CRAZE DEPLORED.
The Dangerous Spirit is Prompted by
Ignorance Says Senators.
A BOON TO SUFFERING MANKIND
A Strong Argument Against the Bill
Now Pending I'm Congress" Chris
tian Science" and a Question Its
Defenders Do Not Answer.

Not many weeks ago there appeared
in The Times communication to its
editor anent the evils Of vaccination from
New York physician. who is an officer
OF an characterization society.
The writer OF this article did not
trouble himself at the time to dispute the
statements, but now calls attention TO the
following, taken from the "Ohio Medical
Journal" which, however, does not con-
fine itself to the characterization craze,
but pays its respects to the anu-yiyisec-
ton craze in toto:
1T is gratifying 10 note an occasional
protest against the passage OF the bin
10 prevent vivisectlon in the District OF
Columbia. in the secular papers. few
months ago the newspapers. with few
exceptions, appeared to favor the bill,
but as its real objects become better UNI
derstOod the sntiment against 1t appears
10 be growing. It was with a feeling akin
to surprise that we re&d the following
able protest against the bill in the Times
Star a few evenings ago:
PROMPTED BY IGNORANCE.
" The same spirit That forced Socrates
20 drink the deadly hemlock, that com
PEELED Calico to retract his assertion
that the world moved. that made Chris
TOPPER Columbus a butt OF rdicule for
many years before he discovered Amer
Tea. that threw every possible obstacle
In the way OF the great scientist, Harvey,
and that made Il criminal for physiolo-
gists hungering for knowledge 10 dlssect
a corpse Is now at work in the United
States Congress seeking 70 prevent any
form OF vivisecton. The spirit is prompt
ed by ignorance IL comes from a lot OF
misguided fanatics OF the same kidney az
those who insist that vaccination against
smallpox is vain. that all psychologists
are humbugs. II is the plan or these IA.
natics 10 pass a bin through the United
States Congress forbldding vivisectlon in
the District OF Columbia, and use this "a
an entering wedge for further legislation
In the various States Of the Union As
yet they have failed 10 prove a single
case OF cruelty in the conduct Of animai
experimentation in the District. Still
they seek 20 establish a system OF es-
pionage upon all physicians and sclen-
fists who seek 10 enlarge the knowledge
Of the world upon many things pertaining
20 life and health that are SIN hidden
and vital The commission which these
fanatics urge IS % b. made up OF non
professional persons who are 10 be given
tho power 10 judge as 10 motives and
methods OF scientists IL Is the purpose 10
make masters out OF the tyros. to let the
blind lead those who can see.
LISTERS DISCOVERY.
THE same spirit OF fanatcism forced
Lord Lister. who has probably done more
20 alleviate the sufferengs Of the wound
cd than any other thousand scientists OF
the present century. by his discovery Of
antl-septics. TO leave England and go 90
The continent Of Europe 10 push his ex-
periments. As a result Of the Lister dis
covery. blood poisoning i'm cases Of sur
gerry is now unnecessary During the last
war In this country bloof-poisoning was
responsible for AZ least seventy-iye per
.ent of the deaths Of those who were
subjected 10 surgery. Experiments IN
vivisection made Listers triumph posi-
bie one Of these anti-vivisecionists re-
Gently stated that his design was 20 stop
even the hypOdermic puncture Of an ami
mai Carrying the purpose OF these peO-
lde % their legitimate conclusion, all
physiological work would be stopped. No
meteorological experiments could be-
made. No tests as to relative Vsue OF
suture materials no new abdominal OPP
eratiOns could be devised and tried be
forehaud no more diphtheria serum could
be manufactured I'm this country, nor
could We obtain any more vaccine virus
from animals: nor could we consistently
Import any Of the animal serums or virus
FOR use here ms the Importation OF these
articles would manfestly create neces-
sitv for the use Of the animals abroad 10
secure The material.
" There Is 10 scientific man In this
country Of any prominence who favors
rrftrf Tor
perfments. carried on as they are in the
majority OF cases are not 10 CRAFTY
curiosity. but to restore the health and
Drolong the life OF human beings To
oppose them. as the pending bill pro-
poses. IS to cooperate with disease and
death
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE"