Waterbury Democrat., 1901-09-25
SCIENCE AND HNMANE SOCIETY.

The influence which scientific study, including the discovery and elabora- tior of the, theory of evolution, has had upon the treatment of animals is per haps more considerable than is gen. erally known. There is a popular idea that the scientific treatment is cold blooded and merciless, without synl- pathy for the suffering of either ani- nal or man; but in the majority of cases this is not true.
 The man of science often seems hearted when he is in reality noth- ing of the kind. He understands, bel ter than the uninstructed person, the necessity of occasional infiiction of pain, and the good accomplished by it. Therefore, instead of weeping and wailing over the evil that is in the world. he sets himself to remedy t, and in so doing does not hesitate to investigate and to inf1ict suffering whenever it is necessary. One sensi- ble, determined effort in this direction is worth the sentimental sympathy of a dozen people who sit at home and shrink from even seeing or hearing of pain.
 The discovery of the theory of evolu- tion, with all the consequences flowing from it, resulted ill a somewhat start ling! and extremely radical change in the attitude of the man of science and, in time, the attitude of humanity in general toward the brute creation. Formerly, animals were regarded as creatures without souls and conse- Quently without the rights which hu- man beings were bound to respect. They were of interest only as their economic value contributed to the wei in6n the habit of theological writers to pie ture the whole earth as having been expressly constructed for the conven- fence and comfort of man. That there could be any relation between animals and mankind which would make the psychological and physical system of the former worth studying was an idea which did not occur to these theolo- gians at all.
 Modern science has changed all that. Animal psychology is distinct branch Of study among scientists, and the habits and instincts of the brute ere ation are matters considered worthy of close attention. It is beginning to be recognized that in the treatment and management of dumb creatures, reason rather than arbitrary theory. should be the governing power, and that s1IlISIlSeuI aulllldAS,F pdl tAl uldAtS Y those domesticated, are considerably more like human beings than has hlth- erto been supposed.
 Ths gradual advance of science has also partly revolutfonized human thought in another way. Comparison of animals with man was formerly considered unworthy of the dignity of the latter, and to call man brute was and still is for that matter, an in- suit. But it has come to be under stood that natural law is not the u1l- worthy guide it was formerly SUD- posed to be, and the natural man. in- stead of being regarded as creation of the devil is now recognized as good and wholesome being. Instead of getting as far away from nature as they can, civilized human beings now recognize the necessity of keeping certain hold on their kinship with the br,1te creation The wholesomeness of companionship with horses and dogs has long been recognized in shame faced sort of way; but nowadays the recognition is frank and sincere. Out of-door companionship with nature is gradually taking the place of labora- tory methods in the study of science; and the average man follows the lead of the scientist. Men like Thoreau. R11rrol1ghs. Bradford Torrey and Frank Bolles have infected their read- CTS with their cordial love of all living things. and those with a sense of uni yersal relationship will not be unkind either to their domestic animals or 10 human beings.