Vivisection through the eyes of Wilkie Collins, HG Wells and John Galsworthy

The article argues that, unlike Collins’ adamantly negative view towards vivisection in the latter half of the nineteenth century and approaching the end of his writing career and life, Wells and Galsworthy’s changing opinions responded to medical advances, reflected the dynamics of public opinion,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Medical humanities 2021-09, Vol.47 (3), p.333-343
Main Author: Durey, Jill Felicity
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
19th century
20th century
Animals
Change agents
Collins, Wilkie (1824-1889)
Experiments
Fiction
Galsworthy, John (1867-1933)
Heart
Literary prizes
Medical ethics
Medical personnel
Medical research
Medicine
Multimedia
Nobel prizes
Novels
Public opinion
Science
Victorian period
Writers
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:The article argues that, unlike Collins’ adamantly negative view towards vivisection in the latter half of the nineteenth century and approaching the end of his writing career and life, Wells and Galsworthy’s changing opinions responded to medical advances, reflected the dynamics of public opinion, and their own knowledge and experience at their time of writing. With its primary focus on Galsworthy, the study also explores the reactions of contemporary critics, readers, scientists and medical practitioners to these depictions of vivisection. Above all, the article argues that popular writers, particularly before modern multimedia, greatly influenced public attitudes towards changes in society, including medical research by vivisection. The ultimate change of heart towards vivisection by Nobel Prize winner Galsworthy, an indirect and eminent beneficiary of vivisection, the article concludes, would have boosted public acceptance and the cause of modern medicine.
ISSN:1468-215X
1473-4265
DOI:10.1136/medhum-2020-011868