The Model Abattoir Society
AS long ago as 1379 the citizens of Smithfield addressed a complaint to Richard II against the evils of the slaughter-houses of Newgatc : since that time protests have been many and have acquired of late a great body of public opinion behind them.
The Model Abattoir Society, which is doing a great work for minimizing the general beastliness of butchering, held a meeting recently to demand the institution of public slaughter-houses, and to secure legislation prohibiting the private slaughter-house, also to promote the use of the humane killer for stunning the beast in place of the, old-fashioned pole-axe. A large number of tests proved that it required an average of 163 blows with the pole-axe to slaughter a 100 head of cattle, whereas, for the same number of cattle, it was only necessary to use the humane killer a fraction over a hundred times (100.6).
In the construction of a model humane slaughter-house provision must be made for :- 1. Suitable approach to the yard, so that animals need not be herded with cruelty.
2. The construction of suitable pens for animals awaiting slaughter.
3. The removal of any carcasses from the sight of the next beast to be brought in.
Another field of activity of the Society is the adequate inspection of meat. There are far too Many slaughter- houses licensed up and down the country. If there were fewer and better constructed abattoirs, as the Society hopes, it would be possible to have a competent Govern' ment inspector present at each period of slaughtering, thus ensuring the greater purity of butchers' meat, which at present is often a danger to public health.
In 1882 there were over 900 slaughter-houses in London alone ; to-day there are but 115. More remains to be done, and it is to be hoped that the Model Abattoir Society will soon be able to procure the general institution of public abattoirs, decently conducted and inspected.
H. A. B.
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