Poisons. 259 



large numbers of animals nothing supersedes the lethal 

 chamber^ in which death comes on as quietly as ordinary 

 slumber ; yet we hesitate to send our favourite to die in 

 such motley company. Dr. Gordon Stables recommenas 

 first a dose of chloral in the form of syrup to induce sound 

 sleep, during which the animal is caused to inhale an 

 over-dose of chloroform. In our practice we omit the 

 chloral as an unnecessary delay, and simply place the 

 animal recumbent, cover him with a woollen rug, doubled, 

 then introduce beneath it a sponge fully saturated with 

 chloroform, which is held close to the nostrils. He thus 

 breathes only the vapour of chloroform. Death is 

 speedy and minu^ all suffering, occupying less time than 

 is required for writing the few and imperfect lines dis- 

 cussing this special method. 



