LOCATION OF THE BRAIN. 237 



Thus we see that the movements of an animal in the act of 

 being killed are not at all to be relied upon as evidences of 

 pain. 



The term "pithing" is applied to two methods of inflicting 

 injury to the nervous system, and thereby producing death. 

 By one method, that most commonly in vogue, the spinal 

 cord is severed or punctured between the tirst and second 

 bones of the neck, where the peculiarity of the articulation 

 leaves an opening. This is done by a variety of instruments. 

 Although the animal drops immediately, life continues for 

 some seconds and even minutes, the heart continues to beat, 

 and the brain to live and act. By the other method, a small 

 spot situated in the lower and posterior portion of the brain, 

 known as the " Medulla oblongata," is reached and broken up 

 by the intix)duction of a narrow, sharp iustrument through 

 the occipital hole. Death is almost instantaneous. "No 

 attempt is made at inspiration, there is no struggle, and no 

 appearance of suffering. The animal dies simply l>y a want 

 of aeration of the blood, which leads in a few moments to 

 an arrest of the circulation."* Both of these modes of 

 slaiughtering, especially the last, require an anatomical knowl- 

 edge as well as practical dexterity that but few would attain, 

 and if they are not properly and quickly executed, are un- 

 doubtedly attended by more suffering than other methods. 



Without entering further into the consideration of physi- 

 ological questions of so much importance, we may with safety 

 lay down the following proposition : — 



All animals when slaughtered should be deprived of sensi- 

 bility, by inflicting sufficient injurj^ to the brain, either by a 

 sudden and violent blow of an axe or hammer, by the bullet, 

 or by some other equally efficient means, and should then be 

 bled during the state of insensibility. 



It is important to know the exact situation of the brain in 

 animals, so that the shock to this organ may be conveyed 

 eflTectually and at once, and not by clumsy and ill-directed 

 eflTorts, as is too often the case. 



It should be kept in mind that the brain of animals occu- 

 pies but a comparatively small portion of the entire head. 



* Dalton's Physiology. 



