1904.] Humane Slaughtering of Animals. 



299 



mendations which, in their opinion, are not strictly business- 

 like and which have not been clearly demonstrated to be 

 practical. 



As the result of their enquiries and investigations the com- 

 mittee came to the conclusion that the methods of slaughter 

 existing in this country are capable of considerable improve- 

 ment, and they recommend : — 



(a) That all animals, without exception, should be stunned, 

 or otherwise rendered unconscious, before blood is drawn. 



(b) That in the interests, not only of humanity, but of sanita- 

 tion, order, and ultimate economy, it is highly desirable that, 

 where circumstances permit, private slaughter-houses should be 

 replaced by public abattoirs, and that no killing should be per- 

 mitted except in the latter, under official supervision. Such a 

 change as this could only be brought about gradually and by 

 legislation, but it cannot be described as impracticable, in view 

 of the fact that this system is prescribed by law in several 

 Continental countries, and is actually enforced in the city of 

 Edinburgh. 



(c) That there should be an efficient system of inspection and 

 supervision of all slaughter-houses, whether public or private, by 

 the local authority, and uniformity in methods of slaughter 

 should be introduced and enforced as far as possible ; and 



(d) That all slaughtermen, and others employed in or about 

 slaughter-houses, should be licensed by the local authority. 



The committee are also of opinion that many of the slaughter- 

 houses in this country are unsatisfactory in design, and present 

 features which are objectionable from a humanitarian stand- 

 point. They gave careful consideration to the question of the 

 best design for a slaughter-house, and they make a number of 

 valuable suggestions on this point. A model slaughter-house, 

 embodying their recommendations, and many others conducive 

 to rapidity and economy of working, is now being constructed by 

 the Admiralty at Chatham Dockyard, and a detailed description, 

 with plans, is attached to this Report. 



Proceeding on the preliminary assumption that all animals 

 should be stunned, or otherwise rendered unconscious, before 

 being bled, the committee describe in detail the methods which 

 they regard as the most humane, expeditious, and practical, and 



