Human vivisection : A statement and an inquiry.

  • American Humane Association.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Human vivisection : A statement and an inquiry. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University Libraries/Information Services, through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the the Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library at Columbia University and Columbia University.

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    ''When I began my experiments with smallpox pus, I should, perhaps, have chosen animals for the purpose. But the most fit sub- jects, calves, were obtainable only at considerable cost. There was, besides, the cost of their keep, so I concluded to make my experiments upon the children of the Foundlings' Home, and obtained kind permission to do so from the head physician, Professor Medin. I selected fourteen children, who were inoculated day after day. Afterward I discontinued them, and used calves. ... I did not continue my experiments on calves long, once because I despaired of gaining my ends within a limited period, and again because the calves were so expensive. I intend, however, to go back to my experiments in the Foundling Asylum at some future time. Proposed Vivisection of Criminals. At a meeting of the Tri-State Medical Association, held at Peoria, III, Oct. 3, 1893, Dr. John S. Pyle, a graduate of Bellevue Medical College in 1886, read a paper entitled A Plea for the appropriation of Criminals, condemned to capital punishment, to the Experimental Physiologist. It is the pro- posal of an educated physician and surgeon to imitate here in America, the practice of Herophilus in Alexandria, two thou- sand years ago. Dr. Pyle suggests that for the purpose of these human vivi- sections, a building should be especially erected, and every form of mechani- cal appliance provided for prosecution of psychical inquiry and studies of the general nervous system. A body of expert Physiologists, . . . should be appointed to carry out the commands of the State. Every person interested in Scientific studies or physiological and psychical inquiry should be admitted to executions.—(p. 8.) At the same time, Dr. Pyle would not admit any who are unable to comprehend the work done, for it is evident that otherwise, some might obtain admission to the spectacle who would view it with some emotion, possibly of abhorrence,— perhaps of pity; and for judgments thus arising, he has only contempt. But a new Era, he tells us, is about to dawn when emotion will be relegated to its proper place. Regarding the vivisection of criminals, he says: It was anticipated in the beginning that a large majority of people would enter a protest, on account of their environment and culture