"The design of experiments is to interrogate nature; and surely the inquirer ought to make himself acquainted with the language of nature, and take care to propose pertinent questions. He ought further to consider the probable kind of replies that may be made to his inquiries, and the inferences that may be warranted in drawing from different responses, so as to be able to determine whether, by the commission of cruelty, he is likely to obtain adequate instruction. Indeed, before we make experiments on sensitive beings, we ought further to consider whether the information we seek may not be attainable by other means. I am aware of the advantages which have been derived from such experiments when made by persons of talent, and who have properly prepared themselves; but I know that these experiments tend to harden the feelings which often lead to the inconsiderate performance of them.
"Surely we should endeavour to foster, and not stifle, benevolence, the best sentiment of our nature, that which is productive of the greatest gratification both to its possessor and to others. _Considering the professors in this place as the organs of the Court of the College_, addressing its members, I feel that I act as becomes a senior of this institution, whilst admitting the propriety of the practice under the foregoing restrictions, I, at the same time, express an earnest hope that the character of an English surgeon may never be tarnished by the commission of inconsiderate or unnecessary cruelty[60]."
A VERY EARLY EXCELLENCE OF ABERNETHY: EXCEEDINGLY NECESSARY
NOTIONS ON WHICH ANATOMICAL INVESTIGATIONS WERE CONDUCTED;
ADVANCING SCIENCE HAS FULLY CONFIRMED THE
"To me, however, who confide more in the eye of reason than in that of sense, and would rather form opinions from analogy than from the imperfect evidence of sight, it seems too hasty an inference to conclude that, in the minute animals, there are no vessels nor other organization because we cannot see them, or that polypes are actually devoid of vessels, and merely of the structure described, because we can discern no other. Were it, however, really so, such facts would then only show with how little and with what various organization life could accomplish its principal functions of assimilation, formation, and multiplication. Who has seen the multitudinous distribution of absorbing vessels, and all the other organization, which doubtless exists in the vitreous humour of the eye, than which no glass ever appeared more transparent or more seemingly inorganic[61]? How strange is it that anatomists, above all other members of the community of science, should hesitate to admit the existence of what they cannot discern, since they, more than all the rest, have such constant assurance of the imperfection and fallibility of sight[62]?"