The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1874-06-11
PROTECTION OF ANIMALS.
How the Dumb Brutes are Treated by
Those who should Protect Them,


Mr.. George T. Angel, of Boston,
read, before the Social Science Conven-
ton, paper on the protection of ami
mails, particularly in regard to trans
portation. He alluded to their intel
lectual qualities, the language by which
they communicate, to each other, the
belief of a majority of the human race
in their immortality, which had been
advocated by John Wesley, Jeremy
Taylor, Coleridge, Lamartine, and ether
eminent men. In regard to the trans
portation of animals four general propo-
sitions were presented: That our East
ern markets are largely supplied with
the meats of animals brought long dis
tances that large portion of these
meats are taken from animals more or
less diseased, and some from animals
that have died of disease that the eat
ing of these meats produces disease
and that it is impossible to detect these
meats after they have been dressed. He
then gave description of the manner
in which cattle are transported from
Texas and the Western States, crowded
into cars so that a large percentage die
on the road, and dsLmany of them are
dressed to save them from a speedy
death. The loss by shrinkage on ami
mails SO transported amounts to nearly
100 pounds each, and this loss takes
from the bodies of healthy animals even
the best and most nutritious portions.
Statements from reports of boards of
health of different cities were quoted to
show that this treatment Of animals in
transit causes large proportion of the
meat to be unfit for food, and that
meats thus dressed cannot be detected
Obstinate and fatal diseases are caused
by the consumption of these meats.
The next point was the proper mode of
slaughtering animals for food. Expert
ments and authorities were cited to
show that cruelties and pains inflicted
upon animals affected the meat. The
milk of milch COWS when cruelty treat
ed is unfit for use, causing sickness and
perhaps death to the consumer. Calves
for market are kept for several days
without nourishment before being
killed, and are bled in the mean time
to make the veal white, which makes
the veal unwholesome. Sheep are sent
to market in cold weather, and they
suffer with cold until they are killed.
Poultry are suffocated in transporta.
ton. All these things endanger the
public health. In some parts of Europe
it is the custom to kill fish as soon as
they are taken from the water, for it is
thought that the flesh is found to be
better than of those that have suffered
before dying. He then referred to the
means of transportation, and said that
cattle cars had been invented in which
they may be brought to market in good
condition, and they ought to be used
An abattoir has been constructed il
Brighton, Mass, so that all animals car
be killed mercifully. This should bt
the model for all, and inspectors should
be appointed to see that animals arr
properly killed. To protect milcl
cows and birds, and to stop all cruelty
the remedy is to circulate information
and to foment humane education. II
conclusion, he said that the objects O
the societies for the prevention o
cruelty to animals were, first, the en-
actment and enforcement of laws sec
ond, faithful inspection at the cattl,
markets and slaughter r-houses, anC
third, general humane education. Thi
paper was discussed by Mr.. Henr,
Bergh and others, all urging 'human
treatment tor the animal.