Bad Meat
Perhaps the most certain cause of diseased meat is violent and cruel treatment of cattle on their way to the markets. The too frequent brutal conduct of drovers, the deprivation of food and water, the over-driving through dusty roads and crowded thoroughfares, are notorious; and these bring on fever and disease (R.S.P.C.A.). * The following extract from a letter (1909) from Mr. C. Wilmer, the present Secretary of the Nottingham Butchers' Association, shows how effectual was this resolution passed in Nottingham forty years ago. He says: "In respect to the humane slaughtering of calves and other cattle, it is important in the interest of the butcher that all animals should be slaughtered in the most humane manner possible. I have had twenty-five years' experience as a slaughterman, but have not yet seen a calf bled, they are first stunned." Greener's Humane Cattle Killer, a kind of small gun, is now largely used by butchers for cattle, and is said to cause instantaneous death. It is the same instrument as used by the County Council for all horse slaughtering. The R.S.P.C.A. also sell a similar instrument. †"Mr. Hunt, of North Mundham, in Sussex, who has dealt in calves for thirty-nine years and sends about two thousand every year to market, always conveys them standing in carts which are 6ft. by 5ft., with open rails each side for ventilation. Each van holds fifteen calves, and travels at five miles an hour. In all those years he has only lost one calf on a journey. A similar plan is in use in Paris." Rabbits (R.S.P.C.A.). - The best way to kill rabbits is to take the hind - legs in the left hand, so as to allow the head to hang downwards. While in that position a smart blow is struck just behind the ears with a walking-stick, which causes instantaneous death. When the rabbit is very large a second blow is advisable. The jugular, or large veins of the neck, may then be cut through with a penknife, and the body hung up to bleed. A certain and painless snare or trap for wild rabbits, &c., to ensure instantaneous death, remains apparently to be invented. "PIGEONS, FOWLS, DUCKS, GEESE, AND TURKEYS." (R.S.P.C.A.). "The quickest and most painless way of killing any of these birds is to break or dislocate the neck, all sense of feeling being immediately removed. Any struggling which follows is not a result of pain, but reflex action. "The operation is carried out in the following manner: - The head is taken in the right hand with the thumb against the back of it, the neck being held with the left hand, then with a quick jerk with the right hand, the thumb being pressed downwards at the same time, the vertebræ are dislocated. Another method is to strike a sharp blow on the back of the neck with a heavy stick. Whichever process is adopted, the body may then be hung up, and the large veins of the neck divided. The bird bleeds just as freely with this method as when it is bled to death without the neck being dislocated. - A. J. SEWELL, M.R.C.V.S., 55, Elizabeth Street, Eaton Square, London." Mr. Sewell, writing on 25th March, 1909, says that though the above was written twenty-five years ago, he still considers it the most humane way of killing poultry. A guillotine for fowls has lately been invented.
Game. - It would be well if all shooting parties could follow the example of many owners of large shootings, and leave off an hour before dusk in order that any wounded game may be found and put out of suffering at once.
The following authorities are valuable to those interested in the matter of food and health: "Report of the Committee appointed by the Admiralty to Consider the Humane Slaughtering of Animals, 1904." (Cd. 2150. 1s. 3d. Eyre & Spottiswoode, East Harding Street, Fleet Street). Dr. Schwarz's "Public Abattoirs and Cattle Markets." "Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, 1896." (Eyre & Spottiswoode.) "Report of the Medical Officers on the Inspection of Milk and Meat." Printed by order of the Public Health Committee, 1898. (Messrs. P. S. King & Son, 2, Great Smith Street, Westminster.)