New-York tribune., 1910-01-17
FALSE, SAYS FLEXNER
Denies Animal Cruelty at
Rockefeller Institute.

DIR. Simon Flexner. director of the Rookie
feller Institute for Medical Research, de-
MED vigorously fast night the allegations
OF cruelty TO animals which have appeared
in a morning newspaper. He declares that
it is an imposition on the public 10 circu-
late reports of cruelty when the same care
is taken with the animals as with human
patients in all hospitals.
As matter Of fact. he maintains II is
apparent that any carelessness would spoil
the experiments and nullifv the results,
since all the operations were performed
with human patients in mind. Further
more, he says. no concealment Is practised.
and qualified persons are admitted TO the
experiments.
within the past few weeks" said DR..
Flexner. IAN effort has been made by the
New York Vivisection Society, by
charging 1t with wilful cruelty. 10 dis
credit the Rockefeller Institute for Medical
Research. and through and with 1t other
institutions in this country in which ami
NAL experimentation is being employed TO
extend our knowledge of human and ami
NAL diseases. wish TO state. with all the
emphasis and definiteness that 1 can place
upon the words that cruelty is not prac-
tised at the Rockefeller Institute. and
NONAd iiOl 10 LpttidltA WISH dASo "
state. with the same emphasis. that no
concealment is practised there. but that
the results of it's work are published in full
detail 10 the world. and qualified persons
are admitted free to witness the expert
ments. 1t is. moreover. an imposition upon
a lay public. uniformed and properly so.
of the methods of the hospital operating
room, to parade as wanton cruelty TO the
brute creation the very means which are
in daily use to save life and limb in the
best hospitals in this country and Europe.
DIR. Flexner referred to the witnesses
whose information had been used in pre-
pairing the attack. impugning their reIia-
bility.
1.-THE purpose of experimental surgery
being the extension and perfection of the
art of human surgery, it is inconceivable
that any but the most precise and perfect
means would be employed in the care and
treatment of animals used for experiment.
In DR.. Carrel the Rockefeller Institute has
had the rare fortune TO secure highly
distinguished surgeon to carry on this
phase Of its work The institute spares. in
deed, no expense and pains in providing for
the care and comfort Of the animals en-
pIeyed there. and the provision made there
for the animals will compare favorably
with the provision made in the leading hos
pitfalls for the care of human patients.
The scientific staff of the Rockefeller
Institute has been chosen from among the
distinguished scientists In America and
Europe: The different universities are the
training schools for the staff of the insti-
tute. The themes upon which the workers
are engaged demand 6. degree of precision
and care that is difficult or impossible of de-
scription, in order that 1.-THE results Of the
experiments may be trustworthy and vslua-
BILE. Any roughness or earelessness would
spoil the experiment and nullify the result
Il desire, therefore. TO deny totally the
statements of cruelty made in the affidavits
of Mary l.. Kennedy. Samuel Francis Dut-
ton and Matthew Smith. and to state un-
qualifedly that the allegations are false
ignorant and wilfully misleading"