New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-31
PUBLIC SCHOOL DISSECTING.

PROTEST AGAINST THE TEACHING or PHYS
1oLoGY BY ACTUAL DEMONSTRATION.
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir ! have followed the press reports and Discus
sions on the above subject with the closest interest
and rejoce to see that the authorities. backed by
the parents. taking energetic action 10 prevent
repetition of such disgusting exhibitions In the
presence Of young children. II seems incredible
that q school teacher lady processing refinement
should think 1t necessary TO choroform and dissect
cat in the presence Of her pupils even admitting
the juniors 10 witness the sight. No wonder many
OF them were sick, and no wonder their parents
protested. 1t IS difficult to what this teacher
expected TO gain by such disgusting demonstra-
ton. Is the study of physiology so important to
these young children that their minds are TO be
brutazcd and made caous in the study? is their
school time so unmportant that more useful ana
profitable studies cannot be found? l am not op-
posed to the study Of physiology. I approve OF IT.
| love the study. but can conceive OF nothing more
likely to bring it into disrcpute than these senseless
exhibitions Of Miss Nearing. Such exhibitions are
never allowed nor would they be attempted in the
higher art centres OF England. where men and
women study physiology great English pro-
fessor once said None OF the organs need be seen
in action 10 be properly UNDERSTOOD ana even
young medical students not called upon TO Wit
ness such demonstrations as those provided oy MISS
Nearing. .,.-
There is a fear in many minds that this chloro-
forming and dissec.ins Of cats before pupils i only
the thin end OF the wedge NiVlsectioE VIII i0lo".
has been tried in OF the higher schools. but
the parents. 10 their credit. stopped IT, ordinary
shocked at the sight OF blood ana torture
II they contemplate II frequently the disgust ceases
II hlde0iIs fac, that cruelty Is source or de-
light boys and men. Boys Will even Try
10 perform those feafs they have seen their elders
do ! suppose every child plays at keeping school
and by watching those children We can generally
get an insight into the school life of the child and
the temperament OF the teachers. for children are
keen Observers. and note every action Of their
teachers and try to initiate them in their play. We
may find some initiating Miss Nearing. and dissect-
ing cats for the edihca.On of ther friends. If such
exhibitions are allowed to continue and tho children
see enough OF them 10 get over their scare
The Rev. DR.. Samuel HaughtOn many years ago
said My experience l. that the dissccting room
dcgrades some characters and elevates others, and
knowing that Il is moral .rial 10 any young man
TO pass through the ordeal OF the hospital dead
house and the dissccting room. that II tries and
tests his disposition. Ike the Lydan stone OF the
ancents. ] would shrink with horror from accus-
toming large classes Of young men 10 the sight y
animals under Vivscc;ion. believe that many %
them would become cruel and hardened. and would
20 away and repeat these experiments rccklcsslv.
without foresight or forethought: science would
gain nothing and the world would have let loose
upon Ii q SET OF young devils"
Surely there are methods OF teaching physiology
without resorting 10 cruelty or even putting ami
mails death I'm the prcscDce OF children. diagrams
and models used In all other countries: why not
in this? ARTHUR W ESTCOTT
Boston Mass. Jan. g. 1895