Poisons. 259 
large numbers of animals nothing supersedes the /e¢ha/l 
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. 
