Scientific Death.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 118, 25 April 1883, Page 2

Scientific Death.

An interesting project for a simpler and more humane method of despatching animals, or even criminals, by electricity, is suggested by the Zoophilist. An ordinary stall has an iron plate fastened upon its floor large enough for a horse or bullock to stand upon. With this plate is connected the negative pole of an electric condenser, fotmed of alternate layers of tinfoil and tissue paper soaked m paraffin. This condenser is charged from an ordinary , coil to its fullest capacity, «nd it is to be , discharged at an electro-motive force, which produces a one inch spark. The animal|to be despatched has the top of its head and also its feet and legs wetted with salt water. It is then led into the stall with its hoofs resting on the iron plate. The brass knob which makes the positive pole, and has an insulating handle, is then applied to the forehead of the animal, which falls down stone dead the moment the contact is effected. This plan or one very similar to it, has already been adopted m an abattoir at Home, and there can be little doubt that, the speed and ease with which the operation is effected, to say nothing of humanity, will ensure the speedy adoption of the electric system on a general scale. We have not heard that anyone has yet succeeded m inducing the authorities to experiment with criminals.