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In connection with these condemned articles of food, it is the
practice, in cases where the retail vendor has unknowingly purchased
articles which are unfit for human food, and where he has
made no attempt to sell them, to grant a certificate which enables
him to claim the return of his money. During 1913, 24 certificates
were granted in respect of the articles shown above.
Slaughter Houses.
There are now only three slaughter-houses in Battersea, in
only one of which is there any business of magnitude carried on.
These premises have gradually decreased in number in recent years,
and the fact is a matter to be recorded with satisfaction, as, from
the standpoint of public health, the private slaughter-hause is not
to be commended. Generally speaking, such places are structurally
ill-adapted and badly equipped for the purposes for which
they are used, and it is consequently a difficult matter for the
Officers of the Council to carry out effectively their duty of inspection
and the enforcement of the Council's requirements under the
By-laws.
The following is a list of the slaughter-houses licensed in the
Borough of Battersea in 1913:—
345 Battersea Park Road ;
205 St. John's Hill ;
351 York Road (small animals only).
At the slaughter-house at 351 York Road, a very considerable
business is carried on in connection with the slaughtering of pigs.
During the year, the carcases of 3,826 pigs slaughtered at these
premises were inspected by the Council's Meat Inspectors. Of
this number, nine diseased whole carcases and the beads of 157
pigs which showed slight evidence of incipient tuberculosis in the
neck (pharyngeal glands) were surrendered and destroyed under
the supervision of the Council's Officers.
The conditions under which the business of this slaughterhouse
were carried on have been considerably improved during
the year by the structural and other improvements which, as a
result of the Council's representations to the owner, have been
effected. The lighting and ventilation of the premises are now
satisfactory, and the installation of the electric light has further
facilitated the important work of inspection of the meat of the
animals slaughtered.
The slaughter-houses in the Borough are frequently and
systematically inspected by the Council's Officers. During 1913,