MUNICIPAL HYGIENE 721 



which horses may be destroyed in the most humane manner. 

 As they are more used to be handled than cattle, and the 

 head assumes a different position, there is seldom any diffi- 

 culty in expert hands in carrying out destruction quite 

 painlessly, either by the pole-axe or by Greener's Patent 

 Killer which fires a bullet. 



It is otherwise in the hands of the nervous or inexperi- 

 enced, especially where firearms are employed. For the 

 safety of all concerned no firearm, excepting the above, 

 should be employed in a crowded place, and even with it 

 the bullet may at times be deflected and come out. On the 

 whole. Greener's ' Killer ' is as safe as firearms can ever be, 

 and a cool inexperienced man can under competent direc- 

 tions carry out destruction with perfect success. 



On the other hand, the pole-axe can only be wielded by 

 an experienced hand, and the least movement of the head 

 may be attended by untoward results. 



Whether bullet or pole-axe be employed the spot selected 

 should be the bottom of the forelock, at which position no 

 failure to kill painlessly is possible ; the inexperienced 

 always aim too low. When a rifle is employed it is a 

 source of danger to anyone within 1,000 yards ; in conse- 

 quence a shot gun should always be used by the inexperi- 

 enced when the ' Killer ' is not available. 



Public opinion will shortly demand some better arrange- 

 ment for the conveyance of the dead than the repulsive and 

 insanitary knacker's cart. It is a disgusting sight with the 

 dangling head in front, blood dripping from the nostrils, 

 body fluids or blood running over the tail of the cart, with 

 moreover everything exposed to view. 



A proper sanitary watertight cart, preferably of metal, 

 should be used, and the whole carcase hidden from view. 

 Until such a cart is devised, and there are constructional 

 difficulties, the local authorities should enforce a sheet 

 being employed to hide every portion including the legs of 

 the carcase from view, with a bag in which the entire head 

 is placed. 



As many animals suffering or dead from contagious 



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