Остров доктора Моро
Doctor Moreau Explains.
Butthelawswefeelourwaytowards—Why,evenonthisearth,evenamonglivingthings,whatpainisthere?"
Ashespokehedrewalittlepenknifefromhispocket,openedthesmallerblade,andmovedhischairsothatIcouldseehisthigh.Then,choosingtheplacedeliberately,hedrovethebladeintohislegandwithdrewit.
"Nodoubt,"hesaid,"youhaveseenthatbefore.Itdoesnothurtapin-prick.Butwhatdoesitshow?Thecapacityforpainisnotneededinthemuscle,anditisnotplacedthere,—isbutlittleneededintheskin,andonlyhereandthereoverthethighisaspotcapableoffeelingpain.Painissimplyourintrinsicmedicaladvisertowarnusandstimulateus.Notalllivingfleshispainful;norisallnerve,notevenallsensorynerve.There’snotintofpain,realpain,inthesensationsoftheopticnerve.Ifyouwoundtheopticnerve,youmerelyseeflashesoflight,—justasdiseaseoftheauditorynervemerelymeansahumminginourears.Plantsdonotfeelpain,northeloweranimals;it’spossiblethatsuchanimalsasthestarfishandcrayfishdonotfeelpainatall.Thenwithmen,themoreintelligenttheybecome,themoreintelligentlytheywillseeaftertheirownwelfare,andthelesstheywillneedthegoadtokeepthemoutofdanger.Ineveryetheardofauselessthingthatwasnotgroundoutofexistencebyevolutionsoonerorlater.Didyou?Andpaingetsneedless.
"ThenIamareligiousman,Prendick,aseverysanemanmustbe.
