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16
The Board understand that it is the practice of some dealers
though aware of the diseased condition of animals coming into their
hands, so to dispose of them or of their carcases, that there is risk
that they will be used as food for the poorer classes in London and
other large towns.
The Board have reason to believe that the practice in question
obtains to a considerable extent; and accordingly they are desirous
of drawing the attention of local authorities to the matter, in order
that they may as far as possible exercise supervision over the cattle
in their districts with a view to anticipating, and so averting, possible
or intended infringement of the law.
With this object, the local authority should instruct such of their
officers as are engaged in administering the provisions of the
Dairies, Cowsheds and Milkshops Orders, to observe particularly
the condition of the cows which come under their notice, and, where
any animal is clearly diseased and presumably unfit for food, to take
such steps as are practicable to ensure that, in the event of the
animal being slaughtered, the carcase is disposed of properly.
The Board would also suggest that the sanitary or other suitable
officers of the local authority should be instructed to watch closely
the cattle-markets, slaughter-houses and knackers' yards in the
district, with the view of satisfying themselves that no animal, the
condition of which appears to render it unfit for human consumption,
is disposed of in such a manner that it is likely to be used for this
purpose.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient Servant,
S. B. Provis, Secretary.
The Town Clerk, or
The Clerk to the Urban District Council, or
Rural District Council.
Without in the slightest degree presuming to criticise, one
might be allowed, as a matter of experience, to state that those