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"The idea, as I understand it, is that fundamental truths are revealed in laboratory experiments on lower animals and are then applied to the problems of the sick patient... It is plain nonsense."

"The idea, as I understand it, is that fundamental truths are revealed in laboratory experiments on lower animals and are then applied to the problems of the sick patient. Having been myself trained as a physiologist, I feel in a way competent to assess such a claim. It is plain nonsense."

Taken as a stand alone quote this is a very negative statement. Out of context, it appears to criticise animal experiments, concerned that an antipathy between scientist and physician may develop. In reality Pickering believed the two should cross fertilise.  

Ironically this quotation is taken from the transcript of Pickering's Haveian Oration, an annual lecture to commemorate the contribution made to medical science by William Harvey who performed experiments on over 40 species to establish the function of the heart and blood vessels.

Before and after this Oration he published many papers describing animal experiments, and was therefore clearly not attacking the value of such technique.



Last edited: 27 August 2014 06:07

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