THE HUMANE SLAUGHTER OF ANIMALS [To the Editor of the
SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—My attention has been drawn to the Duchess of Hamilton's letter on Humane Slaughtering in your issue of August 1st. No doubt the Duchess intended to make it clear that in referring to the " blunt knife " and " unskilful cutting " she did not refer to the Jewish method of slaughter, which is done by a trained and skilled man with a knife of surgical sharpness.
For over twenty years the whole weight of scientific evidence has been in favour of the Jewish method of slaughter with the knife. It was not, however, to be expected that in time some scientist would not arise who would express doubt on the theory that the cut, however deep and thorough, produces immediate insensibility, and Mr. Mudge, lecturer in biology, has stepped into the breach. Professor Bayliss's Report that insensibility followed immediately was published two years ago. It is a pity, therefore, that Mr. Mudge did not cross swords with him earlier, for the great physiologist passed away a year ago. Had his article been published in a scientific journal instead of in a leading anti-Semitic organ it would no doubt have been answered by some scientist of high standing. I know, for instance, that Professor Leonard Hill, F.R.S., made a thorough investigation into the duration of conscious- ness. Mr. Mudge merely dissected a head and formed con- elusions that enough blood was left after the cut to maintain
consciousness. Professor Leonard Hill went much further.; He " cut " a calf by the Jewish method and then tested the blood pressure scientifically, and found that it immediately, dropped to zero, " showing that the circulation in the great brain had ceased." It has been pointed out repeatedly that the conclusions of laymen on the subject of the duration of consciousness, even when the observers are unbiased, are certain to be inaccurate. This seems to apply to the Duchess's own observations with a stop-watch in her hand. The deliberate findings of a large body of professors and other scientists (over 500 in number) that the Jewish method is absolutely humane, and that it must be, and actually is, fol- lowed by immediate insensibility, should be conclusive for reasonable people.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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