“After delaying long on account of the unpleasant nature of the operation, I opened the spinal canal of a rabbit and cut the posterior roots of the nerves of the lower extremity—the creature still crawled—but I was deterred from repeating the experiment by the protracted cruelty of the dissection. I reflected that the experiment would be satisfactory if done on an animal recently knocked down and insensible—that whilst I experimented on a living animal, there might be a trembling or action excited in the muscles by touching a sensitive nerve, which motion it would be difficult to distinguish from that produced more immediately through the influence of the motor nerves.”—Nervous System of the Human Body (Longman and Co.), 1830, p. 31.
The following extract contains the well-known conclusions of Sir Charles Bell respecting the utility of Vivisection and its moral aspect:—
“In concluding these papers, I hope I may be permitted to offer a few words in favour of Anatomy, as better adapted for discovery than experiment. Anatomy is already looked upon with prejudice by the thoughtless and ignorant—let not its professors unnecessarily incur the censures of the humane. Experiments have never been the means of discovery—and a survey of what has been attempted of late years in physiology, will prove that the opening of living animals has done more to perpetuate error than to confirm the just views taken from the study of anatomy and natural motions. In a foreign review of my former papers the results have been considered as a further proof in favour of experiments. They are, on the contrary, deductions from anatomy, and I have had recourse to experiments not to form my own opinions, but to impress them upon others. It must be my apology that my utmost efforts of persuasion were lost, while I urged my statements on the grounds of anatomy alone. For my own part I cannot believe that Providence should intend that the secrets of nature are to be discovered by the means of cruelty, and I am sure that those who are guilty of protracted cruelties do not possess minds capable of appreciating the laws of Nature.”—Ibid., p. 217.
Similar sentiments are expressed in his “Essay on the Forces which Circulate the Blood,” Part II., p. 25.
Bellesme, Jousset de. School of Physiology, Nantes.
Author of “Physiologie Comparée Recherches expérimentelles sur les fonctions du balancier chez les insectes,” Paris, 1879; “Recherches sur la digestion chez les mollusques céphalopodes,” Comptes rendus Vol. LXXXVIII. (1879), p. 428; “Recherches sur l’action physiologique du grenat ou résidu de fabrication de la fuchsine,” Comptes rendus, Vol. LXXXVIII. (1879), p. 187.
Belli, Aristide (Prof.), Director of the School of Veterinary Medicine, Urbino.
Bennet, Alex. Hughes, 13, Old Cavendish Street, W. M.D., Edin. (Gold Medallist), 1872; M.B. and C.M., 1869, M.R.C.P., Lond. 1876 (Edin., Lond. and Paris); Mem. Path. Soc. Lond.; Ext. Mem. and Emer. Sen. Pres. Roy. Med. Soc. Edin.; Physician Hospital for Epilepsy and Paralysis, St. John’s Wood, and to the Westminster Hospital, &c., &c.
Author of “An Experimental Inquiry into the Physiological Actions of Theine, Caffeine, Quaranine, Cocaine, and Theobromine,” 1873; “A Practical Treatise on Electro-Diagnosis in Diseases of the Nervous System;” “Illustrations of the Superficial Nerves and Muscles, with their Motor Points,” &c.