Dr. Louis I. Harris, Health Commissioner of New York, defended Dr. David H. Schelling of the Brooklyn Jewish Hospital against the attacks of the Anti-Vivisection Society, in a statement issued yesterday. It developed that the Anti-Vivisection Society of New York is cooperating with the Humane Society of New York in prosecuting the case against Dr. Schelling, who is charged with cruelty to animals.
Harry D. Moran, superintendent of the Humane Society, reported the treatment of the dogs at the hospital and aroused anti-vivisectionists.
Mrs. Diana Belais is president of the Anti-Vivisection Society of New York.
Dr. Harris declared that while it was not in his province to discuss the experiments under fire at the Jewish Hospital, Brooklyn, he felt impelled to make clear that the experiments there were being conducted humanely, compassionately and with definite, beneficial results to the human race.
“If vivisection is made the sport of adolescents or the morbid curiosity of adults, I cannot condone nor tolerate it,” Dr. Harris said, “but I know that the experiments there are of an unusual nature. They are doing two definite things: to determine the relation between dietary restrictions and the growth of bone and tissue, and, also experiments relating to diabetes. Diabetes was not settled with insulin; we still are confronted with grave problems that need solution.
“Dr. Schelling has prepared for an important medical journal a report of the findings in these unusual and necessary experiments. He is not animated by a desire to torture animals. I am able to cite thousands of such experiments that must be made for the benefit of all living king. This work cannot, must not, be interfered with, but I hold no brief for vivisection that does not have a definite beneficial aim, or for vivisection that is practiced without the exercising of humane, considerate protection for the subjects.
“I am receiving two types of mail concerning the case at Jewish Hospital, one from those who have a deep sentimental interest in the animals. I sympathize with them heartily, but I cannot agree that all science should stop because of it. Pasteur’s wonderful work would never have been done without vivisection. The other type of mail is from that kind of person who finds in the events at the hospital an outlet for anti-Semitism; hatred, bigotry and animus fill these letters, simply because I and the hospital are Jewish. I cannot consider these letters from any point of view. I cannot be too severe in condemnation of any such spirit. For those who have a hearty interest in the animals I sympathize, the others I choose to ignore as beneath consideration.” Dr. Harris concluded.
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