Page:The Harveian oration 1905.djvu/74

 Although described in his time, Harvey would not acknowledge the existence of a distinct absorbent system.

Starting from the standpoint of a knowledge of a complete circulation, as established by Harvey and those who subsequently supplied the links which were wanting in his day, the subject of the progress that has been since made may be conveniently referred to under certain general headings.

While again emphasising the essential importance of vivisection as a means of investigation in relation to the circulatory system, and our indebtedness to this procedure, I do not for a moment wish to overestimate its value, and I would take this opportunity of respectfully suggesting to physiologists, pathologists, and pharmacologists, who practise experiments on living animals, that such experiments do not cover the whole ground, but that there are other methods of research to which we owe a vast amount of our modern knowledge regarding this system, and that they should strictly recognise the limitations of vivisection. Moreover, they are bound to exercise scrupulous care not to perform any experiments on animals that are not really necessary, or that could give just offence to those who are conscientiously opposed to the practice.