From Frithiof Holmgren   7 April 1881

Dear Sir!

In our country has begun a strong agitation against vivisection for scientific purposes.¹ The agitators shun hardly any means, but being totally in want of all knowledge about the value—almost the necessity of vivisection for the science, the also want the power of reasoning in favor of their theories. The have taken to imposing upon the masses by citing the names of scientific gentlemen, who should be against the vivisection.

Among those I have seen your—in our country so highly esteemed—name. You are quoted as one of the most decided antagonists against all vivisection. By looking at the places from which the take their opinion they would seem—as could have been expected—to say quite the opposite. It seems to me, to judge from your whole scientific bearing, as if you were a most decided defender of vivisection for the sake of science.² Our right of using animals follows as a consequence from your theories about the development of the world, and the vivisection is simply a necessity for the advance of science.

In any case it would an advantage to know the truth, and you would do a great favor against your own opinion by letting me know your point of wiew towards the vivisection, and towards laws, forbidding or restraining its use.

I would therefore ask you kindly to send me a few words about the matter. Should you regard me personally too insignificant, please tell me so, and I will arrange about the same question being sent from the Faculty of Medicine, or from the Royal Society of Sciences in Upsala, of which you are a member, or from any other corporation—only you allow your answer to be published.³ I beg you to excuse my freedom, which is explained by the importance of the question

Yours most obedient servant | Frithiof Holmgren | Professor of Physiology etc. | in | Upsala Sweden

To Mr. Charles Darwin F.R.S. | London.