THE CLAIMS OF VIVISECTIONISTS.
[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—As an example of the gross misstatements to which physiologists descend in the defence of their hateful practices, nothing could be more characteristic than the remarks made by Dr. Quain, at the deputation which waited on Thursday on Lord Carnarvon to protest against the Cruelty to Animals Bill. He
stated that,—" Hundreds of thousands of cattle were saved from the most dreadful disease and suffering in the rinderpest by experiments upon a few animals, which, demonstrating the direful contagiousness of the disease, led to 'measures being adopted for its suppression."
Every country gentleman must know that we were absolutely helpless during that epidemic, that every investigation was a total failure, and at last we were forced to fall back on the one remedy that has been employed, in leper-houses, and such-like, since the beginning of the world. We not only had to separate, but go to the extreme length of killing every affected animal, and every one near to it. Moreover, as Parliament had to provide com- pensation for all this, I fancy they need no further information to enable them to meet such a misstatement with the scorn it
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