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1904] 220
animals. The animal should be steadied by pressing his flank
against the wall, and the head being secured to the ring at the
same time, the possibility of movement is reduced to a minimum.
This renders it more easy for the slaughterman to strike with
accuracy.
(6) The Committee have practically tested a large number of
appliances, designed for felling and stunning animals previous
to " pithing." Amongst these may be mentioned the " Bruneau
and Baxter Masks," the " Greener Patent Killer," the " Blitz "
instrument, and the " Wackett" punch, all of which instantly
stun and fell the animal, and are recommended for use in the
case of quiet cattle or injured horses, particularly if the services
of a trained slaughterman are not available.
In the case of wild or restive animals, however, the adjustment of
these instruments is very difficult, and their use is not recommended.
Without going into further details, it will be sufficient
to say that, whilst the Bruneau mask* has much to commend it—
especially with inexperienced slaughtermen and when time is of
little object—the Committee are of opinion that the pollaxe when
used by an expert, is, on the whole, the most satisfactory
implement. In coming to this conclusion they must add that
in the hands of a nervous or inexperienced man, the poll-axe
becomes an uncertain weapon, and may be productive of much
suffering. The Committee, therefore, recommend that no man
should be permitted to use the poll-axe on a living animal until
he has gone through a thorough course of training, firstly, upon
a dummy animal., and secondly, upon dead bodies. Detailed
recommendations upon this point are made in appendix " D."
(c) Except in the case of very restive animals, which may have to be
stunned by a first blow on the poll, followed by a second stroke to
perforate the forehead, one blow with the poll-axe on the forehead
should be tsufficient to fell the animal, and to cause instantaneous
* This appliance is used by the Army Service Corps, and forms part of the butcher's equipment
issued to the troops on active service.
\ It is seldom that an expert or properly trained slaughterman needs to strike more than one
blow with a poll-axe. In any case, however, the first blow, if strongly delivered, is almost certain
to fell and stun the animal, even if a second blow should be necessary to make the hole for the
pithing cane.