The Principles of Humane Experimental Technique

This book, written by William Russell and Rex Burch, sets out the philosophy of the 3Rs; Refinement, Reduction and Replacement, regarding the use of animals in scientific experiments. It was first published by Methuen in 1959, and then reprinted in 1960 by Charles C. Thomas, Springfield, Illinois, but it went out-of-print.
In the Preface, the authors write:
In 1954, the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare decided to sponsor a systematic research on the progress of humane technique in the laboratory, and in October of that year we began work on the project. In 1956, we prepared a general report to the Federation's committees, and this report formed the nucleus of the present book, which was completed at the beginning of 1958. Throughout our work, we have received constant help of many kinds from the staff and committees of the Federation, and over much of the period we worked with a special Consultative Committee, with Professor P.B. Medawar, C.B.E., F.R.S., in the Chair. We have also received valuable assistance from the Animal Welfare Institute of the U.S.A., which also contributed financially to the UFAW research.

In 1992 the Universities Federation for Animal Welfare (UFAW) re-issued the book.

A modernised and abridged version of this book by Michael Balls, called The Three Rs and the Humanity Criterion, was published in 2009 and can be downloaded free of charge.

The UFAW 1992 edition was also a recognition of the Russell and Burch Award instituted by the Humane Society of the United States, which recognises outstanding contributions to the advancement of alternatives to the use of animals in research, testing or education.

Table of Contents:
Part One: The Scope of Humane Technique; Foreword to Special Edition; Preface: Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: The Concept of Inhumanity; Chapter 3: The Ecology of Experimental Animals; Chapter 4: The Sources, Incidence, and Removal of Inhumanity;
Part Two: The Progress of Humane Technique; Chapter 5: Replacement; Chapter 6: Reduction; Chapter 7: Refinement; Chapter 8: The Factors Governing Progress;
Tables; References and Source Index; Addendum.

Most of this version from 1992 may be read online at CAAT's website.

ISBN: 0-900767-78-2 (ISBN-13: 978-0900767784).
UFAW, Wheathampstead, UK: 238 pages.
It is likely to be difficult to obtain a paper copy of this publication (link to Amazon).

Please also see slide decks about the 3Rs written by Norecopa in several languages.

The 3Ss and the 3Vs are also highly relevant to this discussion.

Please see the PREPARE guidelines for more information on how to plan studies that appear to involve animal use, from Day 1.