Our slaughter-house system : a plea for reform / [C. Cash].

  • Cash, C.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Our slaughter-house system : a plea for reform / [C. Cash]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    182/230 (page 166)
    obstacle, pursue a straight course, and this will carry it through the brain into the cervical vertebra;, where it is generally found. If the animal’s head is turned sideways, and therefore is not in a direct line with the spine, the bullet may reappear at one side of the neck, and may even pierce the skin, which generally happens when a large charge of powder is used. That under certain cir- cumstances the bullet may thus injure bystanders, is of course, quite possible. Care should, therefore, be taken to keep neck and head in one straight line, and also for the additional reason that if the flesh of the neck is pierced injuries are done and bleeding caused. Above all, let nobody stand in front of the person who is firing. It is very rarely necessary to hold the animal, as a bullock’s forehead offers a broad surface, and the spot where the shot should strike is so clearly indicated that a miss is hardly possible. If we look at the diagram on the previous page, wre shall see exactly how the right spot may be found. Let a line be drawn from each eye to the base of the horn on the opposite side. The correct spot will be found where the two imaginary lines intersect. A trifle above is better than below this spot. The mouth of the apparatus must be applied here, and not the upper rim. We may also take a line for the brain by placing the mouth of the apparatus four fingers’ breadth below the base of the horns. A smart tap on the plunger with the wooden mallet is sufficient to discharge the appa- ratus. Avoid using a brightly-painted mallet, or one of a red colour, unless the animal is wearing a mask. Many animals dislike bright colours, especially horses. In dealing with the latter animal some practice is required in the use of the shooting apparatus. Horses