17 JANUARY 1931, Page 20

VIVISECTION

[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]

SIR,—Professor Wilson, in your issue of December 20th, stated :—

" The idea, held by many people, that the production of anti-toxin to diphtheria or tetanus is rendered possible only at the expense of inflicting pain on horses is so utterly false as to appear to those who are fully acquainted with the facts as almost ridiculous."

Professor Eiselsberg stated at the Medical Congress held at Carlsbad in 1008:

"it is through hundreds of experiments, and very painful experi- ment on animals, that the discovery of diphtheria serum and tetanus scrum have been made."

And Dr. Thane, the chief inspector under the Act of 1876, stated to the Royal Commission on Vivisection that he had known the injections to be followed by "great pain and suffering," especially the injection of tetanus toxin, Surely it is absurd to suppose that poisons can be continually injected into animals without causing suffering, though a vivisector

may be Incapable of realising it.—I am, Sir, &c., BEATRICE E. Iann, Hon Sec.

British Union for Abolition of Vivisection. 47 1Vhitehall, S.W.1.