We are unfortunately frequently obliged to destroy cats for economic reasons, or for humane reasons, to prevent suffering in animals which cannot get well. In large institutions, like the Home of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, they have tanks containing carbonic acid, which puts the animal to sleep and death painlessly. Drowning is an equally quick and painless death, if done properly; but care must be taken that the animal is quickly and totally immersed in water, and not allowed to reach the surface for a single instant for a gasp of air. By this method, undoubtedly, the animal has one momentary shock, and an attempted gasp, when formation of carbonic acid in its own brain puts it to sleep and renders it unconscious before even death takes place.

Poisoning by strychnine or arsenic is cruel, as it produces considerable pain before death. Strong prussic acid generally produces immediate death; but it is difficult to administer, and in some cases it fails absolutely.

In the hands of an expert, while it has the appearance of brutality, a ball from a pistol, or a properly administered blow with a hammer on the skull, produces instantaneous and painless death; but these methods should not be adopted by any one whose experience does not warrant him in doing it properly, completely, and at the first attempt.

Chloroform in the hands of a novice is perhaps the simplest method, if he use the following precautions:

Take a box or large pail with a cover which can be firmly closed; use plenty of chloroform (at least two to four ounces); place the cat in the receptacle; pour the chloroform on a sponge, and drop it in beside the cat; place the cover on and hold firmly in place for some time. In this way the only annoyance to the cat is probably its first moment of fright, and the single gasp or two which it makes for fresh air before the chloroform has commenced to act.