The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-01-06

the bridge" does not run straigh
but at an angle, the point just indi
Gated is farthest front and the mos
easily reached by the knife. AS stated
before. these veins lie just below the
ski of the roof of the mouth, hence
a deep cut is not needed, neither IL
any amount of strength required for
the operation.
1t will be observed that just in
front of the line which indicates the
point at which these veins are to be
| cut they divide into two small
branches. the course of which is not
further shown. This is because they
very soon pass through small holes in
the bone and go into the inside of
the skull and into the deep tissues,
where they are quite safe from the
killers knife. If, then, these large
veins are to be severed, the cut must
be made far enough back to reach
them before they penetrate the bones
of the skull. On the other hand, If
the cut is made too far back and over
the edge of the skull, much of the
blood will settle III the loose tissue
of the neck instead of running out
Of the mouth, thereby clogging the
vessels and preventing complete
bleeding, as well as making unsightly
discolored areas on the neck near the
head. 1t is better to make one cut
rather than to cut the bridge" in
the middle or to cut each side vein
separately, since this sometimes re-
suits in the CLOTHING of the blood at
the ends of the veins before the
is completed.
Anatomy of the Skull
From what has been said concern
ing the necessity of cutting far back
in order to reach the point desired,
il will be seen that it is necessary to
know something of the position and
shape of the bones of the chicken S
skull and their relation to the exter-
nal parts of the head. The hinge of
he jaws will be found on the head
Of the live bird below the ear. Still
'arther back there is a U-shaped de-
preston in the skull into which fits
he upper part of the spinal column.
rhe bridge-vein connecting the two
arge veins of the neck lies DIRECTLY
lcross the U-shaped depression.
1t can be seen how far back thel
lnife must go If the veins are to be
ut at the angle, and it will also be
Observed that when they are cut in
his position the knife will have
'ony backing which will prevent it
rom getting too deep, thereby obvi-
ting the spongy mass of blood in the
eek tissues which was discussed
Irasp the head of the chicken firmly
nd yet do not press against the soft
arts of the neck. Just above the
ngle of the jaw, that is about at the
hicken's ear, there is a smooth,
,rong area of bone, large enough to
lpport the thumb on one side and
le forefinger on the other, and this
where the head should be held .
lille killing. -
Position Of Hand and Knife
The thumb of the killer is pressed
rmly down on the mead just below :
I'D behind the ear in the space toll
hich attention was called when dis =
lssing the bones of the skull. Here, =
o, is the hinge of the jaw Pressure -
the thumb on the side of this por- =.
on of the skull and on the other
de at the same place with the fore ~
nger or with the forefinger and u
cond finger, will result in opening o.
e chickens mouth, and holding it ~
zen while the operator makes the
t to bleed. Held in such fashion,
ere is nothing to construct the blood VI
ssels, thereby preventing the blood 81
ON escaping even though these ves- u
Is be cut. The pressure against 81
e jaw makes accurate cutting of the vi
ms easier, since the bird cannot III
use its mouth until the pressure is III
moved. OF course, care must be ~
Ken not to stretch the neck unduly, pd
e the vessel will be pulled to such li'
narrow diameter that they are more I'll
1icult to find and also more difficult III
empty. .. 81
The position of the knife in the I'll
,uth needs no further explanation. ~
e knife itself, however, is very diff Ill
ent from that ordinarily used il, III
, bleeding of chickens. The knife
common use is much too large, tu
III too long and too broad for the 20
st successful work. Generally ii an
provided with heavy handle, large col