NO VIVISECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20251, 10 May 1929, Page 12

NO VIVISECTION.

ANIMALS AT HOSPITAL',

RABBITS AND GUINEA PIGS

In the grounds of the Christchurch Hospital there is a long, low building where the rabbits and guinea pigs, upon which experiments are made, are housed. Mr. J. 0. Jameson, chairman of the Christchurch branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, reported this week to the committee of the society upon a visit he had made to the hospital, in the company of the secretary and Mrs. G. Connal, to inspect these animals and to see under what conditions they live —or die. The society has been discussing at length the matter of vivisection, tho practice of making experimental operations upon living animals, and it was decided to make certain whether surgeons at the Christchurch Hospital carried out these operations upon the rabbits and pigs which are kept in the grounds there. Mr. Jameson- said that tho hospital authorities had definitely stated that vivisection was net carried out at the hospital. "Patients may bring in swabs to bo tested, either for diphtheria, consumption or other diseases," said Mr. Jameson. "The rabbits are inoculated with the germs from these swabs and it is discovered just what the disease is. When a rabbit contracts diphtheria it usually dies within 12 hours. When it contracts consumption it is painlessly killed with ether. There is no cruelty at all, it is entirely painless." Mr. Northcote: Under what conditions do they live? Mr. Jameson: The housing is quite-sat-isfactory—they might possibly be given a little more space. Otherwise everything is in excellent order.

The committee expressed pleasure at Mr. Jameson's report.