“When it is a question of scientific research one must act resolutely, without considering the pain.”--Revue des deux Mondes, Feb. 15, 1883.
“I do not believe that a single experimenter says to himself when he gives curari to a rabbit, or cuts the spinal marrow of a dog, or poisons a frog: ‘Here is an experiment which will relieve or will cure the disease of some men.’ No, in truth, he does not think of that! He says to himself ‘I shall clear up an obscure point, I will seek out a new fact.’ And this scientific curiosity which alone animates him, is explained by the high idea he has formed of Science. This is why we pass our days in fœtid laboratories (_dans les salles nauséabondes_), surrounded by groaning creatures, in the midst of blood and suffering, bent over palpitating entrails.”--_Ibid._
“Science has nothing to do with utility, or rather the true utilitarians are those who have hope in the science of the future.”--_Ibid._
=Ringer, Sydney=, 15, Cavendish Place, W., M.D. Lond., 1863; M.B., 1860; F.R.C.P. Lond., 1870, M. 1863; M.R.C.S. Eng. and L.S.A. 1859 (Univ. Coll.); Prof. of Med. Univ. Coll.; Phys. and Prof. of Clin. Med. (late Res. Med. Off.) Univ. Coll. Hosp.; late Asst. Phys. Childr. Hosp. Great Ormond Street and Clin. Asst. Consump. Hosp. Brompton.
Author of “Ringer’s Handbook of Therapeutics,” 10th Edit., London, 1883; “On the Temperature of the Body,” &c., London, 1883.
_Held a License for Vivisection at University College London Physiological Theatre in 1878 and 1879._
“In addition to these experiments, we have made some observations clinically. To eighteen adults--fourteen men and four women--we ordered ten grains of the pure nitrite of sodium in an ounce of water, and of these seventeen declared that they were unable to take it. They came back, protesting loudly, and required no questioning as to the symptoms produced. They seemed to be pretty unanimous on one point--that it was about the worst medicine (!) they had ever taken. They said if they ever took another dose they would expect to drop down dead, and it would serve them right. One man, a burly, strong fellow, suffering a little from rheumatism only, said that after taking the first dose he ‘felt giddy,’ as if he would ‘go off insensible.’ His lips, face, and hands turned blue, and he had to lie down for an hour and a half before he dared move. His heart fluttered, and he suffered from throbbing pains in the head. He was urged to take another dose, but declined on the ground that he had a wife and family. Another patient had to sit down for an hour after the dose, and said that it ‘took all his strength away.’ He, too, seemed to think that the medicine did not agree with him.… The women appear to have suffered more than the men! at all events, they expressed their opinions more forcibly. One woman said that ten minutes after taking the first dose--she did not try a second--she felt a trembling sensation all over her, and suddenly fell on the floor. Whilst lying there she perspired profusely, her face and head seemed swollen and throbbed violently, until she thought they would burst.… Another woman said she thought she would have died after taking a dose; it threw her into a violent perspiration, and in less than five minutes her lips turned quite black and throbbed for hours; it upset her so much that she was afraid she would never get over it. The only one of the fourteen patients who made no complaint after taking ten grains was powerfully affected by fifteen.… The effect on these patients was so unpleasant that it was deemed unadvisable to increase the dose.”--_Lancet_, Nov. 3, 1883.