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38
examination was difficult owing to putrefactive changes, yet some
suspicious organisms isolated resembled those of hemorrhagic septicœmia
of the lower animals, and that the opinion formed was that the
rabbits had suffered from some form of infective septicœmia.
If this was so, the matter was of some importance, as very large
numbers of these Australian rabbits are now sent to the London
market; and, if the septicœmic condition was at all widespread, as it
very well might be, serious results to the public health might ensue.
From later information there appeared to be some doubt as to whether
the spotted condition of the rabbits' organs was not due to post-mortem
changes, which had taken place probably during the months the rabbits
were awaiting in cold storage delivery to the market. It was certainly
a fact that the rabbits very quickly decomposed, when taken out of cold
storage; and there would be considerable danger in consuming rabbits
in the condition they were in, when brought by the costermonger to be
condemned as unsound. Further information is required as to what is
the effect of these long periods of cold storage on such articles of food as
rabbits, poultry, and fish.