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231
[1908
The total number of animals was 3,890 below that of the previous year, and the quality
generally has again been very satisfactory. The number requiring special attention on account
of disease or some abnormal condition being 267, as compared with 307 for the previous year.
It will thus be seen that the gradual decrease in the percentage of diseased carcases which has
been noted from year to year since the records have been kept, has again been satisfactorily
maintained.
Of the 267 diseased animals, 59 were due to tuberculosis, 48 of which were cows and 11 oxen,
and in nearly every instance the affection was mild in degree and localised in extent; only in
one case was it necessary to confiscate the entire carcase, and this being a very well nourished
cow of the value of about ,£16, was a serious loss to the owner. In another instance the two
fore-quarters of an ox were condemned, representing about half the total value, which was about
£28. The remaining cases were less serious, and necessitated only the rejection of inferior
portions of the carcase (in some instances) and the particular organs affected, whilst in the
majority of cases the disease was confined to some individual organ and the lining membrane of
the carcase adjacent thereto, such membranes in every instance being carefully stripped, and with
the affected organs destroyed.
Appended herewith is a table showing in detail the various diseases and abnormal affections
from which the animals had suffered, where it will be seen that for the most part the remaining
cases were of a parasitic nature, requiring only the rejection of the individual organ or
organs affected, whilst in a few instances the disease had become so acute as to produce septic
changes necessitating the rejection of adjacent portions of the carcase as well as the organs
concerned.
With one exception the whole of the carcases and organs condemned as unfit for human
food in slaughter-houses was destroyed with the owners' consent without resorting to the legal
form of seizure, the one exception being the case where the owner's attention was called to
four livers and lungs of sheep parasitically affected, which were in the course of preparation
for sale amongst other organs of sound condition, and he with indignity disagreed with my
assertion that the organs in question were unfit for that purpose. Consequently I was reluctantly
compelled to carry them before a magistrate, who gave an order for their destruction.
On the case subsequently being brought before the Stipendiary at the Clerkenwell Police Court,
it was defended by the London Butchers' Trade Society, represented by counsel instructed by
Mr. Ricketts. The diseased condition of the organs was admitted, but several witnesses were
called who stated that it was the custom to throw all organs together, and when the slaughtering
was done to reject in the inspector's absence all such as were considered unfit for human food
and leave them behind. Although this statement strictly accurate, the magistrate gave the
defendant the benefit of the doubt and dismissed the summons without costs.
This is very unsatisfactory, as the butcher knows, or has the opportunity of ascertaining,
the condition of each organ immediately it is taken from the carcase, and ought to be held
responsible for any further treatment, or placing diseased organs with those of perfect condition.