--- title: "A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE - IVU - International Vegetarian Union" description: "A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE: author not given If one reads Tolstoy's description of the slaughter-houses of his day as published in Recollections and Essays (Oxford University Press) and then reads the personal experience of of Mr. Alfred Brisco of Blackwell, Carlisle, in his investigation of the" url: "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3984-congress-wvc57-souvenir-slaughterhouse.html" date: "2026-11-06T00:18:50+00:00" language: "en-GB" --- # A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE ![A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE](https://ivu.org/images/legacy/history/banners/congress-wvc57-souvenir-slaughterhouse.png) **A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE** *author not given* If one reads Tolstoy's description of the slaughter-houses of his day as published in *Recollections and Essays* (Oxford University Press) and then reads the personal experience of of Mr. Alfred Brisco of Blackwell, Carlisle, in his investigation of the modern slaughter-house of England, as published in *The Anmal's Friend*, one turns sick with horror at the thought that the years could make no difference, that conscience, doped by the lust of taste, lies in a seemingly death-like stupor. Tolstoy told of the stench of blood and sight of dead carcasses which greeted the trembling animal that comes driven cruelly to its death. This sight made him a vegetarian. Mr. Brisco, who is only fighting for slaughter-house reform, and does not state he is a vegetarian, says : A POSITIVE HELL: "I have had many bitter experiences of late, in slaughter-houses at home and abroad. Let me deal only with the home shambles at the moment ... We shall have enough to do, for some time, in an attempt to put our own house in order. "The fact that horses and cattle, according to law, must be killed with the Humane Killer in this country, has been a means of lulling a section of the community in to a false sense of satisfaction. They imagine that all is now well in our slaughter-houses.*All is not well.* "Not only are the majority of our private slaughter-houses hot-beds of cruelty but also many of the public abattoirs are a positive hell to the animals driven therein. "In the majority of cases, the animals are met with a stench of blood and the sight of skins and entrails: as soon as they enter the gates. "The majority of animals show signs of the terror they feel, at the very offset, They are driven on by heavy blow and often fall on the slippery bloody floor to receive additional blows to add to their terror." Tolstoy told of a fine young animal dragged forward violently protesting by one butcher while another "seized the tail like an engine driver grasping the handle of a whistle, and twisted it until the bristle crackled." Mr. Brisco, telling of "terror, excessive tail-twisting, brutal blows." states that in the majority of the slaughter-houses"Animals must be driven across blood-soaked yards in full view of hanging carcasses. One has only to stand watching the approach of those poor creatures ... to see the terror registered in their eyes. When a bullock is needed for slaughter, it is roped and pulled into the slaughter-shed by its neck. I have repeatedly seen a beast have its neck almost drawn by this age-old roping method. It is then the wretched animal receives brutal blows, forcing it to enter the actual place where its life has to be taken. When it is in the position required for shooting, it is humanely killed, forsooth! "Believe me, the slaughter had started exactly at the moment the wretched creature had passed through the entrance gates!" THE HUMANE KILLER As for the "humane" killer, Mr. Brisco from personal experience does not consider that electric anaesthesia justifies the name. "Electric stunning will take place 1. *if* the superintendent is sympathetic. 2. *if* he is present when every animal is stunned, 3. *if* the current is applied at the requisite times to ensure complete anaesthesia. Too many ifs! and if everything else is all right, the dread question arises. does the electric anaesthesia produce a state of anaesthesia or only a state like unto curare drugging?" *CONSCIENCE* demands with Mr. Brisco that all who have a slaughter-house in their district visit it and and see its condition for themselves. Mr. Brisco says: "I have spent hours in such places. You must not however, go to places well dressed or accompanied by an inspector, for if you do, then all will be *quite* in order. | A note on this archive. The history section of this website is drawn from a body of legacy content originally compiled by John Davis, former manager of the International Vegetarian Union. It represents his curation of historical material, and in places includes passages written by him directly. Over the years, the IVU website has migrated between several different hosting servers. In the course of these migrations, a number of PDF files were unfortunately lost, and **some links to PDF documents may no longer function**. Where this is the case, we have chosen to leave the original link text in place, as it may itself carry information of historical value. - Hits: 1121 ### Vegan Recipes - [![VEGAN MUSHROOM CONGEE](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20312_230ac948c02cb4625703440cd2311763.jpg "VEGAN MUSHROOM CONGEE")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-mushroom-congee.html "VEGAN MUSHROOM CONGEE") #### [VEGAN MUSHROOM CONGEE](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-mushroom-congee.html "VEGAN MUSHROOM CONGEE") [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Rice](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/rice.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) - [![VEGAN FRIED TOFU WITH PASSION FRUIT SAUCE](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/th10%20153_6cb7ae80224cfd80589de5aad7b5d5c8.jpg "VEGAN FRIED TOFU WITH PASSION FRUIT SAUCE")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-fried-tofu-with-passion-fruit-sauce.html "VEGAN FRIED TOFU WITH PASSION FRUIT SAUCE") #### [VEGAN FRIED TOFU WITH PASSION FRUIT SAUCE](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-fried-tofu-with-passion-fruit-sauce.html "VEGAN FRIED TOFU WITH PASSION FRUIT SAUCE") [Breakfast and brunch](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/breakfast-and-brunch.html) [Main course](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/main-course-for-lunch-and-dinner.html) [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) - [![VEGAN SALAD WITH SOY MILK MAYONNAISE](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/mon%2030_0fe36bee06ee26219ced8d9288513114.jpg "VEGAN SALAD WITH SOY MILK MAYONNAISE")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-salad-with-soy-milk-mayonnaise.html "VEGAN SALAD WITH SOY MILK MAYONNAISE") #### [VEGAN SALAD WITH SOY MILK MAYONNAISE](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/item/vegan-salad-with-soy-milk-mayonnaise.html "VEGAN SALAD WITH SOY MILK MAYONNAISE") [Vietnam](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/vietnam.html) [Starters & side dishes](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/front-page/category/snack-side-dishes.html) ### VFA Blog - [![Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine](https://ivu.org/media/zoo/images/jackfruit-vegan-chicken_38d26d6f0069138610db7aebc31a29e3.jpg "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine")](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine") #### [Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html "Exploring the Versatility of Jackfruit in Vegan Cuisine") - [Read more](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page/item/exploring-the-versatility-of-jackfruit-in-vegan-cuisine.html) ### Science - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) [ Rapid global phaseout of animal agriculture has the potential to stabilize greenhouse gas levels for 30 years](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/207-rapid-global-phaseout-of-animal-agriculture-has-the-potential-to-stabilize-greenhouse-gas-levels-for-30-years.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) [ Animal Agriculture and Climate change a Qualitative holistic note](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/206-animal-agriculture-and-climate-change-a-qualitative-holistic-note.html) Popular - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) [ Environmental Impact of Two Plant Based Isocaloric and Isoproteic Diets The Vegan Diet vs the Mediterranean Diet](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/science/202-environmental-impact-of-two-plant-based-isocaloric-and-isoproteic-diets-the-vegan-diet-vs-the-mediterranean-diet.html) Popular ### History [ ![Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/0f49c89d1e7298bb9930789c8ed59d48.jpg) Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/283-taiwans-climate-legislation-embraces-plant-based-eating.html "Taiwan's climate legislation embraces plant based eating") [ ![Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/6a9aeddfc689c1d0e3b9ccc3ab651bc5.jpg) Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/282-chinese-dietary-guidelines-2022-guideline-4-eat-fish-poultry-eggs-and-lean-meat-in-moderation.html "Chinese Dietary Guidelines 2022 Guideline 4 Eat fish poultry eggs, and lean meat in moderation") [ ![Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference](https://ivu.org/joomlatools-files/docman-images/generated/e3796ae838835da0b6f6ea37bcf8bcb7.jpg) Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference ](https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/history/vegan-nutrition-history/281-reply-to-proposal-no-4748-agriculture-and-water-conservancy-category-no-297-of-the-third-session-of-the-13th-national-committee-of-the-chinese-peoples-political-consultative-conference.html "Reply to Proposal No 4748 (Agriculture and Water Conservancy Category No 297) of the Third Session of the 13th National Committee of the Chinese People´s Political Consultative Conference") ### Download the Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet for Kids and Adolescents - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) [ vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/117-vegetarian-nutrition-booklet-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Popular 7676 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) [ Booklet IVU portugues web](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/122-booklet-ivu-portugues-web.html) Popular 7320 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) [ Nutrition Guide for Students (with Khmer Translation)](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/123-nutrition-guide-for-students-with-khmer-translation.html) Popular 6052 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) [ ベジタリアン・ヴィーガン栄養ガイド](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/130-2023-05-03-18-17-13.html) Popular 5524 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) [ BROȘURA DE NUTRIȚIE VEGETARIANĂ - Romanian](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/124-vegetarian-nutritie-cartea-pentru-copii-si-adolescenti.html) Popular 5040 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) [ CARTEL DE NUTRICIÓN VEGETARIANA](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/kids-booklet/131-cartel-de-nutricion-vegetariana.html) Popular 4558 downloads ### Nutrition - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) [ What are the best sources of protein Introducing the BPI Score](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/294-what-are-the-best-sources-of-protein-introducing-the-bpi-score.html) Popular 603 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) [ 2024 The OMNIVEG STUDY Health outcomes of shifting from a traditional to a vegan Mediterranean diet in healthy men A controlled crossover trial](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/250-2024-the-omniveg-study-health-outcomes-of-shifting-from-a-traditional-to-a-vegan-mediterranean-diet-in-healthy-men-a-controlled-crossover-trial.html) Popular 2782 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) [ Plant Based Nutrition Exploring Health Benefits for Atherosclerosis, Chronic Diseases, and Metabolic Syndrome—A Comprehensive Review](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/205-plant-based-nutrition-exploring-health-benefits-for-atherosclerosis-chronic-diseases-and-metabolic-syndrome-a-comprehensive-review.html) Popular 3834 downloads - [ pdf ](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) [ 2024 Plant and Animal Fat Intake and Overall and Cardiovascular Disease Mortality Main Folder All Cause Mortality](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutrition-articles/health-nutrition/204-2024-plant-and-animal-fat-intake-and-overall-and-cardiovascular-disease-mortality-main-folder-all-cause-mortality.html) Popular 4052 downloads ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/02/adult-guide-029d8cad.png)### The International Vegetarian Union’s Vegan Nutrition Guide for Adults In 2 versions: - [For healthcare professionals](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/the-international-vegetarian-union-s-vegan-nutrition-guide-for-adults-healthcare-professionals.html) - [General Public Edition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide/guide-for-non-healthcare-professionals.html) [Get it now](https://ivu.org/nutrition/nutritional-guide.html) ![](https://ivu.org/images/banners/booklet2.jpg)### Vegetarian Nutrition Booklet A Dietary Approach to Vegetarianism for Kids and Adolescents The intention of this booklet is present to kids and adolescents a healthy vegan diet [Read more](https://ivu.org/nutrition/vegetarian-nutrition-book-for-kids-and-adolescents.html) Vegan Nutrition ![](https://ivu.org/media/yootheme/cache/a6/logo_IVU_01_SLOGAN-a678b962.png) ### Presidents, Chair and Council - [IVU President and Chair of the International Council](https://ivu.org/ivu-chair.html) - [IVU Honorary President](https://ivu.org/ivu-honorary-president.html) - [International Council](https://ivu.org/international-council.html) ### Departments - [Fund-raising](https://ivu.org/fund-raising.html) - [Global Health](https://ivu.org/global-health-department.html) - [Medicine and Nutrition](https://ivu.org/nutrition/medicine-and-nutrition.html) - [Policy Initiatives](https://ivu.org/policies-initiatives.html) - [Articles](https://ivu.org/policies-initiatives/policies-iniciatives-articles.html) ### Regions - [Europe](https://ivu.org/europe-union.html) - [Latin America](https://ivu.org/latin-america.html) - [North America](https://ivu.org/north-america.html) - [Africa](https://ivu.org/africa-continent.html) - [Asia-Pacific](https://ivu.org/asia-pacific-region.html) - [Asia-South & India](https://ivu.org/asia-south-west.html) - [Asia-West & Middle East](https://ivu.org/asia-west-middle-east.html) - [Contacts](https://ivu.org/contact-ivu.html) ### Blogs - [Cynthia Schuck](https://ivu.org/cynthia-schuck.html) - [John Davis](https://ivu.org/john-davis.html) - [Marly Winckler](https://ivu.org/marly-winckler.html) - [Vegan Food Academy](https://ivu.org/vegan-recipes-around-the-world/vegan-food-academy/blog-front-page.html) - [Login](https://ivu.org/login-2.html) ## Schema ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html?view=article&id=3984:congress-wvc57-souvenir-slaughterhouse&catid=184","url":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html?view=article&id=3984:congress-wvc57-souvenir-slaughterhouse&catid=184","name":"A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE","inLanguage":"en","isPartOf":[{"@id":"https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html#archive"},{"@id":"https://ivu.org/hv-congress-1957-congress-wvc57-souvenir-index.html"}],"publisher":{"@id":"https://ivu.org/#organization"},"description":"A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE author not given If one reads Tolstoy's description of the slaughter-houses of his day as published in Recollections and Essays (Oxford University Press) and then reads the…","about":{"@id":"https://ivu.org/history-of-ivu.html#wvc-1957"}}]} ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://ivu.org" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "IVU", "item": "https://ivu.org/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Resources", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Interviews", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 5, "name": "History of the Vegetarian Societies", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 6, "name": "congress", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 7, "name": "wvc57", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 8, "name": "souvenir", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews.html" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 9, "name": "A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE", "item": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3984-congress-wvc57-souvenir-slaughterhouse.html" } ] } ``` ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Article", "mainEntityOfPage": { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://ivu.org/international-vegetarian-union/resources/interviews/3984-congress-wvc57-souvenir-slaughterhouse.html" }, "headline": "A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE", "description": "A MODERN SLAUGHTER-HOUSE: author not given If one reads Tolstoy's description of the slaughter-houses of his day as published in Recollections and Essays (Oxford University Press) and then reads the personal experience of of Mr. Alfred Brisco of Blackwell, Carlisle, in his investigation of the", "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "International Vegetarian Union", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://ivu.org/images/logos/logo-ivu-tranparent-background.png" } }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Alex Fernandes", "url": "https://ivu.org/international-council.html" }, "datePublished": "2026-06-30T23:45:26+00:00", "dateCreated": "2026-06-25T00:15:05+00:00", "dateModified": "2026-10-08T00:52:48+00:00" } ```