Life, 1910-05-26 · page 31 of 44
Life — May 26, 1910 — page 31: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page is primarily **advertising** with one substantive article. The main content is "Vivisection in the Time of Charles II," a historical essay discussing 17th-century blood transfusion experiments on dogs conducted at Gresham College (documented by diarist Samuel Pepys in 1666). The article uses this historical precedent to **critique contemporary animal testing practices**—specifically vivisection and classroom demonstrations where live mice were suffocated under glass bells. The author argues such repetitive experiments are unnecessary cruelty, noting they don't substantially advance human knowledge or health. The satire is implicit rather than visual: the juxtaposition of this ethical critique against surrounding advertisements (Porosknit underwear, motor apparel, Venetian blinds) exemplifies Life's mixed approach of serious commentary alongside commercial content. The piece reflects early 20th-century concerns about animal welfare and scientific ethics.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
VENETIAN AWNINGS) or Outalde and Inside of town ard country houses: ery dure jenieat and art Spectal Outalde Venetians for porches and plzzas: exclude the sani admit the breeze equal to Sa evtdoor room. Mention Li/e for tree pamphlet. Orders abeald be placed now for early commer, JAMES G. WILSON MFG, COMPANY 3 and’ West 20th Street, New York lacturer of Venetian ‘iinds. Rolling Partitions, Rolting nd Fireproof Steel Curains, Wood Block Floors, Vivisection in the Time of Charles II Quaint and inquisitive old Samuel Pepys wrote in his diary under the date of November 14, 1666: “Dr. Croone told me that at the meeting at Gresham College to-night there was a pretty experiment of the blood of one dog let out, till he died, into the body of another on one side, while all his own did run out on the other side. The first died upon the place and the other very well and likely to do well. This did give occasion to many pretty wishes, as of the blood of a quaker to bet let into an archbishop, and such like; but as Dr. Croone says, ‘may, if it takes, be of mighty use to man’s health for the mending of bad blood by borrowing from a better body.’” Two days later Pepys wrote again: “This noon I met with Dr Hook, and he tells me the dog which was filled with another's blood at the college the other day is very well, and likely to be so as ever, and doubts not its being found of great use to men.” The experiment was made 243 years ago, and the lapse of time since then suggests an unpleasant picture of a long series of dogs throughout the dec- ades and centuries suffering under the Motor Everything That Apparel Comfort Demands Shop for the Motorist Garments for Motor Car Drivers 8 design and tailoring, distinctive and authoritative. In the variety of mode:s, almost endless, h prices, moderate. Those are the phases of our stock of suits and overcoats for the motor car driver which manifest years of experience and the t disposition. Excepting those at $25.00, the suits are with knickerbockers and long trousers. Fox, Stiefel & Co, FBAES Opposite Waldorf-Astoria Summer FOR MEN Underwear FOR BOYS ‘This rebel ‘on only the Genuine Insist on seeing it. Take no an After the bath, "Porosknit® 1s pacicularly refreshing. ‘The elastic open texture lets ait reach Feed body—retains the cooling sensa- tion of the bath. Wear "Porosknit," either in two-piece or union style, and you'll know true comfort. Any Style Union Suit For Men For Boys $1.00 50c. Or Shirt and Drawers For Men For Boys Any Style— 50c. 7&5 25c. Seb Tard et Sid fet ont es Hend. CHALMERS KNITTING CO. 52 Washington Street, Amsterdam, N. Y. hands of the vivisectionists to prove over and over again that one dog can live on another’s blood. When many of us were in the high school an otherwise amiable lady teacher used to put live mice under glass bells and then pumped the air out until the mouse swelled up and died. She knew that the mouse would die every time, but deemed it neces- ms sary to prove to successi of students that it is unpleasant and even fatal to sit in a vacuum. And the moral is that even if vivi- section were necessary for the progress of the human race—and as a matter of fact it has not progressed more than a million miles by the aid of blood transfusion—the endless repetition of experiments is not called for. comicbooks.com