The morality of vivisection

By James Moorhouse, Bishop of Manchester, formerly Bishop of Melbourne. From an article in the “NINETEENTH CENTURY” for December, 1892. Issued by the Melbourne Branch of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection. [Melbourne : Melbourne Branch of the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection, 1892]. Octavo, pamphlet, folded sheet, pp. [4], wet stamp address to upper panel, text on pp. 2 – 3, last page blank.

The nineteenth century saw advances in medical technology which were accompanied by an increased number of experiments undertaken on animals. The Cruelty to Animals Act was passed in 1876 but was criticised by both sides of the animal rights movement for being overly restrictive or incompetent at protecting animal welfare. The anti-vivisection movement was aligned to the reformist women’s suffrage movement and attracted a number of female activists.

James Moorhouse (19 November 1826 – 9 April 1915) was an Anglican Bishop of Melbourne and a Bishop of Manchester, and a Chancellor of the University of Melbourne.

This rare Melbourne imprint appears to be unrecorded on Trove.