The rights of the defenseless : protecting animals and children in gilded age America / by Pearson, Susan J.

Table of Contents: “…Introduction: the legend of Mary Ellen Wilson -- "The child is an animal": domesticity, discipline, and the logic of joint protection -- "A relic of barbarism": cruelty, civilization, and social order -- "The rights of whatever can suffer": reconciling liberalism and dependence -- "The dove has claws": sympathy and state power -- Conclusion: from cruelty to child welfare.…”