Alexandria Daily Advertiser

From a late London paper.

The practice of slaughtering cattle by puncturing the medulla spinalis, or, as it is now called, pithing cattle, is extended through all parts of the kingdom, by the laudable perseverance of the board of agriculture. The want of skill in the operators, and the prejudices arising from established custom, we are sorry to observe, however render the system less general than it should be. It is perfectly ascertained that the spinal marrow may be divided without producing immediate death, should the wound be inflicted below the origin of the nerves that supply diaphragm, and allow the animal the power of respiration: but if the puncture is made into the cavity of the skull, so as to divide the medullary substance above the origin of these nerves, death is instantaneous, and without the least apparent sensation of pain. If a line drawn across the head from the foot of each ear (about an inch and a half from the horns) the centre of this line is the spot in which the puncture should be made, and an awl or common penknife is as good an instrument as can be used.