TO lOLL A HORSE. 239 



erally sufficient, if properly directed in either case ; if not, it 

 should be repeated after the animal falls. 



In most instances, so great and instantaneous is the shock 

 to the brain from a gunshot wound, that death follows 

 instantl}^, and therefore opening the blood-vessels is not 

 required. 



The pistol used should carry a large bullet, not smaller 

 than a rifle-ball. A shot-gun loaded with buckshot is as 

 effectual at a point-blank range, and may often be more con- 

 veniently procured. 



3. By Chloroform. — Procure a common feed-bag or small 

 sack made of thick cotton-cloth, or of any sufficiently strong 

 material, provided with strings or a strap to fasten over the 

 head, and at the bottom of this place a large sponge or a 

 yard of flannel folded to the size of eight inches square. 



The animal having been led to the spot selected, the 

 sponge or flannel is to be saturated with the chloroform and 

 the bag adjusted. If the suffocation and consequent strug- 

 2:lin£r, which at first attend the administration of angesthetics, 

 are very great, the application of the chloroform may be 

 gradual, the animal being allowed to respire the outward air 

 for a moment, until these eff'ects pass ofl^. As it is by the 

 exclusion of common air, however, that death is produced, 

 the more persistently the administration of the chloroform is 

 kept up, the more speedy will be the desired result. 



The dose requisite varies very much according to circum- 

 stances. At least sixteen ounces of chloroform should be 

 procured, and it should be freshly applied through a small 

 slit in the bag every few minutes until death ensues, which 

 will be from five to ten or fifteen minutes after the beginning 

 of the operation. 



The difficulties attending the administration of chloroform 

 to so large and powerful an animal as the horse, particularly 

 at the hands of the inexperienced, render its use less applica- 

 ble in producing death than either of the other methods. In 

 cases where sickness and consequent debility have reduced 

 the animal and made him less capable of struggling, it an- 

 swers a good purpose, but, as a general rule, I do not recom- 

 mend its use where the normal amount of strength still 

 remains. 



