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295
[1911
not actually seized as formerly, although there is more surrendered, because
the vendors have learned wisdom, and as a rule now either put their unsound
supplies on one tide for the inspector to examine when he calls, when it is
surrendered to him, or he is sent for to examine it. When he has inspected
it he gives them a note stating what is wrong with it, so as to enable them,
when it is possible to do so, to get compensation from the original wholesale
merchant. When one considers what mischief this large amount of unsound
food might have caused if consumed, the necessity for continued vigilance
becomes apparent, and the necessity for inspection. Indeed, if this were to
cease, it is almost a certainty that we would revert to those days when there
was no proper inspection made in the borough. Considering that the number
of slaughterhouses has decreased from 42 in 1902 to 30 last year, and that the
slaughter of cows, so many of which were condemned, has fallen from 402 to
nil, the results of the inspections must be considered very good. At one time
some of the private slaughterhouses in Islington were the favourite dumping
grounds for these old and, too often, diseased animals, and it must, therefore,
be a matter of congratulation that none are sent to them now.
Inspection of Shops, Street Markets, Stalls, &c.—To these
places, which comprise 238 shops of butchers, provision dealers, &c., 5 meat
stalls, 9 businesses where meat is prepared, 104 fish shops, 4 fish stalls, 211
fruit shops, and 20 fruit stalls, 12,011 visits were made by Inspector Wilkinson
alone, while the district inspectors visited large numbers of them on Saturday
nights, so that altogether they were kept under strict supervision.
Unsound Fish.—There was less fish condemned than in the preceding
year, the total quantity being 673 lbs., as compared with 1,195 lbs. There is
no doubt that greater care is now taken at Billingsgate than was formerly the
case, because the Fishmongers Company have bestirred themselves. Indeed,
not very lung since a communication, addressed to the Medical Officer of
Health, was received from them, in which they requested him to communicate
to them information respecting any unsound fish that had been sold at
Billingsgate. Fewer costers than usual brought fish to the Town Hall to be
seen by the Inspector or the Medical Officer of Health, the much hotter
summer notwithstanding.
A full list of the articles destroyed is set out in Table "A" of Inspector
Wilkinson's report.