New-York tribune., 1902-02-07
WANTS TO BE VIVISECTED.
BROOKLYN DOCTOR WILLING TO SAC
RIFICE HIS LIFE IN SUPPORT OF
SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS.

For the sake of science. Dr. James Edwin
Russell, of No. 1892 Bedford-aves.. Brooklyn
cheerfully declares he is willing to be vivisected
He believes not only that he can find men
willing to conduct the proposed experiments,
but that there is no legal right of interference
or prohibition whereby the authorities can pre-
vent him from carrying out his purpose
The doctor admits that life is as sweet and
pleasant to him to other men. but he feels
that a voluntary sacrifice of his physical powers
in the interests of science would be the greatest
contribution he could make to the welfare of
mankind. He realizes that his chances of sur
viving such a course of experiments would be
slight. but he is doing. he says. only what hun
dreds and thousands of his fellow men have
done and doing, that is. offering his Efe
for a great cause.
Another object the doctor has in view is to
show conclusively to the large class of persons
who call themselves NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. what to
his mind is their error. He wishes to prove that
they doing great injustice TO those who
believe in viviseCtion a logical and necessary
process of science in believing they are heart
less, cruel ana wholly lacking in sympathy and
the finer sensbties.
The doctor said yesterday in announcing his
offer:
I will gladly consent TO experiment and observa-
tion upon any of my vital organs: l am forty
and without ounce of superiuOus flesh think
Ny plan is that Experiments should be conducted
in series. with definite end in view. | would
then say on the liver. the spleen, the glands of
the throat the kidneys. the heart and the brain
l will place no restrictions upon any operation
whatever would merely suggest that that the eX, Sc5
have the most immediate results upon Ine 1., main nam
tenance of life be reserved until last. This Sug-
Father by the desire that the usefulness of my
body may be prolonged and enlarged -,
hold and heIjp I am cd hV hp
ion of the best authorities that certain physio-
Identical with the human species. and that it is
our right and duty TO investigate them, and that
be afforded to research along such lines. But IL Is
not with that branch OF TIE question that Ian; am
vivisection and 1 fully aware that i'm making
many. and am likely to incur the condemnation
and active hostility Of many more But neither
am with the fact that any new departure Or or radi-
position I often think that the cause of vivisec-
tion has suffered most at the hands of Its friends
Now. 1 call for volunteers to the. cause of vivi-
section How many will resP4nd1,lhow many fol toi,
low where l lead the way? l Will myself, When
able and competent, assist my vivsectors by such
The experiments to continue until 1 am exhausted
or until l succumb. But should survive, at the
hereby stpulate that l may elect 10 be released
from further service. AS IN thus v9iuhteerIhs III
realize that the chances are all against my sur
those who are dependent upon me and who would
otherwise suffer by my voluntary sacrifice. that
prior to my entering upon this course ample pro-
vision be made for their comfort and protection.
the more all existing emoluments such as
benefits, insurance. etc. will have TO be forfeited
and cancelled
This proposition has no Strings TO II. 1t re-
mains open until accepted AM the terms will be
rigidIy adhered by What | want to ac-
compsh by 1t as well. however. is to stop If can
this anti -vivsection rant which is misleading and
often wholly false, always unjust. and influences
unreasonably the prejudiCeS or people always
timid physical suffering.
The doctor has a wife and two children. His
offer is safe one to make as no one would
place himself in a position to be prosecuted.