New-York tribune., 1902-12-28
CURLING TEISECTION.
Il Measure To Regulate, Not TO
Prohibit, the Practice.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: In the. recent letters Of DR.. W. W. Keen TO
Senator Gallinger the impression is unfortunately
conveyed to the casual reader that on the one side
are those who ask the right to make usefui expert
ments upon animals and on the other those VINO
oppose every phase and form of animal expert
mentatfon. That such impression is wholly IN
correct, the literature pertaining to the subject
abundantly proves. There NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
of course and 1t is against these that Dr Keen
finds it expedient strategy to direct MS guns But
on the other hand there names in the medical
profession as distinguished as his own; there are
men whose contributions to the cause OF science
have been even greater who hold that in the prac-
tice of vvisection now carried on ABUSES e&-
ist: that crueties which cannot be defended per
tain to it. and that while vfvisecton is proper
and right other experiments are inherently cruel
and wrong They believe, therefore that the prac-
tice of vvisection should come under the resuia-
ton and supervision of the law. When Dr- Keen
asks: who is humane. he who
would prohibit experiments upon animals.
or he who by properly instituted experiments
would discover truths and apply them TO tne
service Of humanity? he is not accurately re1errns
to the views of those who have attempted 10 oo-
tain legislation in recent years.
The American Humane Association mas causeu
to be introduced in the United States Senate Dill
relating to vivisection. is there line In IL "nlcn
means prohibition of animal experimentation:
AS member of the committee which Iormulateu
the measure I think l entitled to speak with
some confidence in denying such implication Here,
for instance, briefly summarized, are the prlncipai
clauses relating to animal vivisection;
FEvery laboratory where such such e eSpsTmenfs pd,1e
sioners of the District of Columbia
Second-Expcrments may be performed opiy py
Or sSa By an in Of the United
States Government Such license may De a6ova the
age of twenty-one years, whose application shaH
cietV of the District CT Columbia, and who shall
not be of cruel and perverted propensities;t ,er
ence of an ansesthetc during the experiment ex-
cept that an@sthetics need not be used
ial In tests of food or drugs
(b) In incubation experiments ,;,4,- -. 7,-
(d5 During the process of recovery from any es
RnFfR%sditai %RetRods. test OF 's'Ho'S'la'i'D .,..o.
would prevent the attainment Of the object OF the
e FeurthHAnimals mutilated during an operation
must be killed before regainng eonsciousness; te eS
GeP wheTe it II, is psIt e a0ma to i've
FYfth-A record of all experiments must be care.
fully kept and annual report, under oath must
be furnished to the commissioners OF the Dlstrict
who will print the same: ,ou 10 onen n the
President and to any member of Congress
Assuredlv this is not an anti-vivisection measure
It even permits experiments that involve pain, pro-
vided the utility is very great and the pain such as
NAV not be avoided. What is there unreasonable
in the restrictions imposed? What clause in the
bill can justify that proclamation which will pres
entity be made in medical periodicals that another
bill Ito prohibit vivsection has been introduced
in the United States Senate?
Is there any necessity for legislation? Are ex-
periments in vogue which may be properly placed
under the condemnation of right thinking men -?
Dr. Keen seems admit that such experiments
have taker place, but he suggests no remedy. More
clear and emphatic the utterances of the late
Professor Henry J. Bigelox. NJ D., LII D., who for
nearly forty years was the professor OF surgery
in Harvard University and the surgeon Of the
Massachusetts, General Hospital. Certainly IN
surgical skill he stood high as DR.. Keen. and
he well qualified to know the needs of