PLAN OF MANCHESTER SLAUGHTER-HOUSE.

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In designing an abattoir on a large scale provision for the following accommodation should be considered.

(1.) Lairs for cattle and pens for sheep.

These should be separated from the slaughter-house by a smaller temporary lair in which the beast whose turn has come can be fastened to the halter by which he is dragged into the slaughter-house, the sides of the door-way being lined with iron for this purpose. The paving of the lairs may be of asphalte, but care must be taken that near the door of slaughter-house, the paving is of pitchers or something that is not at all slippery, as here the frightened beast often struggles and draws back when he sees the “engines of destruction” in the slaughter-house, and smells the blood of those who have gone before.

The lairs must be thoroughly well drained, lighted, and ventilated, and troughs for hay and water placed for each beast, for although the animals are not expected to remain long in the lairs before being killed, still it is very important that they should be well and kindly treated, and rest, so that they may obtain their normal condition before being killed.

A door easily closed should shut off the lair from the slaughter-house, as it is open to question, if animals do not see with fear the hapless fate of their comrades; for this and other obvious reasons the animals must on no account be permitted to pass through the slaughter-house to reach the lair.

The lairs should be well lighted artificially, as a great deal of slaughtering is conducted before and after daylight.

(2.) The slaughter-houses.

These may be separate or in one long building used in common by the butchers; both systems have their advantages and disadvantages.