CALVES, SHEEP AND LAMBS. 241 



deeply across the neck at the upper portion of the windpipe, 

 severing all the blood-vessels, or by plunging a long and 

 sharp-pointed knife into the heart and large blood-vessels at 

 a point corresponding to the upper portion of the brisket, and 

 just above the breast-bone. 



Failure to fell the animal at the first blow cannot be attrib- 

 uted to any difference in the anatomical structure of the part, 

 but rather to the fact that the blow was ill-directed, almost 

 invariably too low, that it was not sufficiently powerful, or 

 that both of these faults were combined. 



In the slauglitering of calves, it is not a common practice 

 with us, as it is in France and other countries, to render them 

 insensible before bleeding, for fear that the brain may be 

 made less inviting as an article of food by being torn and 

 stained with blood. By using a broad mallet this may be, in 

 a great measure, avoided, and even if these results do follow, 

 they do not in reality alter the quality of the brain for edible 

 purposes. Objections to the humane destruction of an animal 

 on such grounds, are as unreasonable as those which are made 

 to juicy and wholesome red veal, by people who prefer that 

 which has been rendered white, dry and innutritions l)y re- 

 peated bleedings that have reduced the calf before death to a 

 lingering condition of faintness and debility. 



The calf should be first stunned by a blow upon the head 

 by a broad mallet or hammer aimed at a spot relatively the 

 same as in the full-grown animal. This is to be followed by 

 immediate bleeding, practised by severing the throat at a 

 point corresponding to the upper portion of the windpipe, 

 using a sharp knife and doing the work thoroughly and at 

 once, so as to open all the arteries and veins of the neck. 



Sheep and lambs should be rendered insensible by a blow 

 upon the head, to be followed subsequently by severing the 

 throat, as just advised in the case of calves, or by plunging a 

 sharp-pointed knife through the blood-vessels at either side 

 of the neck between the bones and the windpipe. 



The place to be selected for a blow is the centre of a line 

 drawn across the head about two inches above the eyes, the 

 31 



