The Rights of Animals; And Man's Obligation to Treat Them with Humanity - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1838. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... can be indulged, and when men cannot find it in thenown species, they seek it in another. Hence such caresses are often lavished on a bird or a beast, as excite ridicule or envy. Ladies have their lap-dogs, and men'their hobbies. We blame them not; on the contrary, we deem a fondness for animals the certain index of a philanthropic disposition. CAUSES OF CRUELTY. SECTION SIXTH. LOVE OF SCIENCE PERVERTED. VIVISECTION. "Ye who the mysteries of nature scan With microscopic vision, O forbear To purchase knowledge at the price, too dear, Of violated mercy; nor the fane Of heaven-taught science to a den convert Of reeking slaughter, hung with horrid racks And implements of torture I Spare the pangs Of the poor victim whose imploring eye Beseeches pity. Onth' insensate frame, Whence life has fled, the useful search pursue; And even there with reverence, as aware The vital spirit yet were hovering nigh, Its old abode solicitous to guard From wanton jest and cold indignity." W. H. Vs Pleasures of Benevolence. Incidere autem vivorum. corpora et crudele et supervacuum est. Cblsus, p. 20. It was maintained, prior to the age of Celsus, that in order to acquire an accurate knowledge of the human frame, it was necessary to inspect not only the internal structure of the dead, but to anatomize the living. Herophilus, a native of Carthage, born in the reign of Ptolemy Soter, and also Erasistratus, were stigmatized by some and eulogised by others, for having dissected criminals taken from the public prisons, and, while they were yet alive, inspected the position, colour, figure, magnitude of those parts which had before been concealed. It was strongly argued, that the knowledge thus acquired was absolutely necessary to those. who would discriminate between a healthy and a...