Among our undertakings on behalf of the victims of science was the prosecution of Prof. Ferrier at Bow Street on the 17th November, 1881, on the strength of certain reports in the two leading Medical Journals. We had ascertained that he had no license for Vivisection and yet we read as follows in a report of the proceedings at the International Medical Congress of 1881:—
“The members were shown two of the monkeys, a portion of whose cortex had been removed by Professor Ferrier.”—British Medical Journal, 20th August, 1881.
“The interest attaching to the discussion was greatly enhanced by the fact that Professor Ferrier was willing to exhibit two monkeys which he had operated upon some months previously....
“In startling contrast to the dog were two monkeys exhibited by Professor Ferrier. One of them had been operated upon in the middle of January, the left motor area having been destroyed.”—Lancet, October 8th, 1881.
When the reporters who had sent in their reports to the two journals were produced, the following ludicrous examination took place in court:—
Dr. Charles Smart Roy (the Reporter for the British Medical Journal) was asked—
“Q. Did Professor Ferrier offer to exhibit two of the monkeys upon which he had so operated?
“A. At the Congress, no.
“Q. Did he subsequently?
“A. No; he showed certain of the members of the Congress two monkeys at King’s College.