Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-01-29

perimenter to proceed without the use of
anaesthetics: -
Results of experimentation.
1.-The good which has been accomplished
by experiments On animals has been fully
set forth by the opponents of this bill. The
atrocities which have been occasionally
committed have been set forth in high
light by those who seek its passage; but
such rare crimes do not represent the gen.
erality of experimentation any more closely
than the murders and. rapes which are re-
ported daily represent existing civilization.
1t is believed, moreover. that existing law
is sufficient to punish any wanton infliction
of pain should it occur here: certainly 1t
has not been demonstrated that it Is not.
Il am not unaware THAT this report has
every appearance of on argument against
the bill to which IT. refers. rather than a
statement of ats merits. regret that this
should be the case. but ! believe that what
ever merit this measure has has been fairly
set forth. If l had felt 1t either desirable
or necessary to gauge its value by my
feelings rather than by my intellect, or to
appeal to the emotions of others. 1t might
port a different color The emotions deal
with what is apparent without looking be-
yond to see either the purpose the re-
suit. Those whose Special training has
not been such as to enable them to appre-
ciate properly the fruits Of experimental
ton on animals are those who cry for its
regulation out Of existence. Those who
know what has been and what ie capable
of being accomplished by 1t are those who
seek its continuance. The former Judgment
is the product of emotion; the latter the
product of thought"
In concluding his report Dr. Woodward
states that in considering the matter he
endeayored to lay aside as far as possible
his character as a physician. and to con-
slider the proposed law fairly and impair
TALLY.
summary Report.
He sums up his report as follows:
1.-THE proposed law seeks to take from
the regularly Incorporated medical colleges,
universities and Sciertifc societies the right
which they alone row have to authorize
experiments on living animals, and to con-
fer such authority in a restricted form on
the board of Commissioners, lay organi-
cation of which two men constitute a ma
jcrity. IT seeks to take from the courts
the power to decide whether any expert
ment has or has not been properly con-
Quoted. and TO limit their authority to the
power to determine whether in any given
case an experiment was performed accord
ing to certain rules and regulations laid
down in this bill. 1t undertakes to do
away with the necessity for a warrant for
the search of premises on which expert
ments are conducted, enabling any or all
OF fouF inspectors. Ioy enter at any time
without notice i seeks TO subject the pa
pers of the experimcnter 10 search without
warrant, by requiring him to make such
reports as the Comm issioa2ers may direct,
and in this manner II undertakes to make
him bear evidence asajnf himself. In sup
pert of the proposed .bfft not one fact has
been adduce1 to show. that harmful condi-
tons exist, ever have existed. or are ever
likely to exist in this District. not durable
by existing law
DR.. Woodward, therefore makes the rec
congratulations above stated, and the Com
missoners have them under consideration.