Day 018 - 26 Jul 94 - Page 25

     
     1        hundred birds were assessed for the presence of
              spontaneous gagging".  What is spontaneous gagging?  Is
     2        that a kind of breathing?
              A.  In layman terms some people call it the death rattle.
     3        It is a residual brain stem activity, which I will mimick
              if the court allows, when the subject is dying.  It is an
     4        inspiratory spasm during throws of death.  It makes that
              sort of noise.  (Indicating)
     5
         Q.   "At the plant", you report, "a hundred birds were assessed
     6        for the presence of spontaneous gagging and a hundred
              birds were assessed for the corneal reflex".  What is
     7        corneal reflex?
              A.  It is where you irritate the cornea of the eye.  In
     8        the case of sheep, cattle and pigs, you look for an eyelid
              blink; in the case of birds you look for a nictating
     9        membrane response, a blink again of the nictating
              membrane.
    10
         Q.   You found that: "One bird showed gagging and one showed a
         corneal reflex.  It is concluded that 1 per cent of the
              birds have residual brain stem activity at scalding.
    12        Neither of these two birds showed any conscious
              activity."   Dr. Gregory, please explain to us what is the
    13        difference between residual brain stem activity and
              conscious activity?
    14        A.  When a subject, whether it be human or otherwise, is
              assessed as to whether they are dead clinically, one
    15        performs tests of brain stem activity and reflex.  So if
              there is residual brain stem activity, this is synonymous
    16        with not being dead, but could be on the borderline of
              death.  Conscious activity means that the animal or
    17        subject is able to perceive in terms of its faculties.
              Does that answer your question?
    18
         Q.   It does almost completely, but of course I have to ask the
    19        further question:  A state of residual brain stem activity
              without conscious activity?
    20        A.  Yes.
 
    Q.   Do you know whether in that condition the bird is capable
              of feeling pain?
    22        A.  If the animal is unconscious by definition it would
              not be able to feel pain.
    23
         Q.   So though technically it might not be dead it is in a
    24        state of insensibility so far as pain is concerned?
              A.  Absolutely.
    25
         Q.   I want to turn, if I may, to pigs? 
    26 
         MR. JUSTICE BELL:  Shall we have our five minute break? 
    27
         MR. RAMPTON:  My Lord, yes.
    28
                             (Short Adjournment)
    29
         MR. RAMPTON:  Can we move, Dr. Gregory, from Herefordshire to
    30        Norfolk, from chickens to pigs.  You visited the
              establishment of G D Bowes & Co., did you not?