Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1874-02-05
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MODES OF KILLINo ANlMALs.-Dr. Sale,
Professor OF Veterinary Science, at Bussey To-
stitute, Harvard College, recently read paper
before the Massachusetts, Board Of Agriculture
upon this subject, FROM which We extract what
follows. DIR. Siade spoke on the subject ofkii-
ling domestic animals, both for food and TO re-
lieve them Of the burden of life, In case Of dis
ease or OLD age. Animals for food are killed
In several different ways; by striking blow on.
the head that stuns the animal, followed by
immediate bleeding; by driving sharp needle
or thin knife through the neck, severing the
spinal cord, called pithing; by cutting the throat
as practiced by the Jews. Many experiments
| have been made 10 determine the most humane
| method of taking life, and to learn what is
death, and when Il occurs.
Severing the head from the body with
knife, as by the gnillotine, does not cause in
slant DEATH The body has two motions, those
which are voluntary, and those which are
involuntary. Bodily motions are not sure in
dicatiOns Of pain. There may Q motion with
out pain, aud pain without motion. To con-
stitute pain, the brain must be In connection
with the body injured. Piercing the nervous
| ceutre In the neck, just back OF the head, is
supposed TO cause instant death, hut the spot
to be aimed ut Is small and liable to be missed
except by experts. Probably the best method
OF killing Is 10 strike a stunning blow OH the
head, aud then bleed Immediately, by cutting
the arteries and veins connecting the heart
with the head. The brain In animals is small
Ter than most people suppose, and is situated
higher up. II is u common mistake to strike
100 low down GU the face, causing severe pain
without killing. 1t is best 10 blindfold animals
before attempting to strike. To find the spot
on the head vi horse, draw a line across The
head through the pits above the eyes. blow
or better, pistol ball, in the centre of this
line VIII XIII Instantly. II Is advisable to dig
the grave for a hose with one end Oh an In.
clned plain, that he may be led in. Then
When shot, he will fall to the bottom, thus saw.
ing uiiich labor in moving and placing IN posi-
ton.
The doctor did not recommend the general
use oil chloroiorm for killing large, strong ami
mails. He believes the sensation OF suiiocatio,
IS often more cruel than killing by II blow. -.
Cattle should also be blindfolded, and the blow
SHOULD TALL about one and half inches below
the hoins,in the center Of the head. The ten
dency is 10 strike too low on the OK as well a.
the horse. The same may be said OF the hog
; This animal should be struck three or ton
inches above the eyes. The line OH sheep and
calves is about Que and half inches above til,
eyes. 1t Is generally believed that sw inc shou IL
not be stunned before bleeding. The lecture,
: said he thought this mistaken Idea, as the,
: would bleed equally as we'll as il led withou
I. ntst stunning. One of the most sickepiu,
> sounds ever heard on the farm is that from
. the hog during its last struggles, and there i
no good reason why the present custom Shout,
be continued.
;, There is perhaps no better method of dispos
ing OF kittens than by drowning. Dogs una,
BIZ instantly killed by shooting above the ca,
u al the side of the head.
When dressing poultry do not cut off thei
heads and throw them down 10 kick and fin,
Il ter on the ground. 1t does no. have a goo
u moral influence on the young people OF til
household. Better strike hard blow ON th
: head and bleed, the same as other animals
g Fishes for food should be killed, and not left t
Iie. The food is much more wholesome, an
Keeps longer, besides being harder aud sweetel
There Is 10 reason why fishes should be e>
e cepted from the general rule that animal foo
u should be bled. 1t is also very nhllnan to le
= f'h die by slow degrees, out OF It's natural el,
At meut "