1-150-761 - The Cartoon Collector/Heritage-Images

'Scinece and Stupidity', 1876. The policeman, clutching his Vivisection Bill, tries to move on the group of medical professors using a microscope to look at the results of their latest work. The frog, staring at the chloroform bottle, looks apprehensive, as well he might. This cartoon relates to the Bill introduced by Richard Cross, the Conservative Home Secretary. The Cruelty to Animals Bill was intended to restrict vivisection after a Royal Commission's report had highlighted cases of wanton cruelty to animals. The Bill was ultimately passed, but many believed that it would hinder important scientific research. This is probably the view of Punch because, when the journal supports the police, or presents a positive image of the force, it usually labels the representative officer as Policeman A1, a label conspicuous by its absence in this cartoon. From Punch, or the London Charivari, July 29, 1876.