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Probably, for large animals, the Baxter mask, or the American stabbing-spear, would be found more serviceable and less expensive than anaesthetics.
II.—Legislative Interference.
Only a brief reference need here be made to this part of the subject. The efforts of Parliament have been devoted not to providing for the humane treatment of animals in slaughter-houses, but to the minimising of the nuisance and danger to public health incidental to such places. Local authorities are empowered to make by-laws, which regulate such matters as the supply of water, the construction of the buildings, lime washing the walls, cleansing the pounds, disposal of refuse, etc. And for continued neglect of such by-laws fines can be imposed and the slaughtering license itself revoked. The London County Council has, in its new by-laws, inserted a clause directing that "an occupier of a slaughter-house shall use such instruments and applicances, and adopt such method of slaughtering, and otherwise take such precautions, as may be requisite to prevent unnecessary suffering to the animal."
In conclusion, with regard to the reforms needed in this revolting business, what is wanted in London is the establishment of about a dozen public abattoirs in the outskirts, and the legislative abolition of all private slaughter-houses. The same principles could be applied in all towns, and in the more populous country districts as well. Thus only is it possible to guard against the sale of diseased meat, and to ensure the buildings in which the slaughtering trade goes
