London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1912
Report of the Medical Officer of Health for the City of London for the year 1912
This page requires JavaScript
64
The above figures show:—
(a) That 667,942 tons or 37.61 per cent. of the meat consumed in the
United Kingdom was imported from abroad in 1912.
(b) That Australia furnishes only 14 per cent. of the imports, New Zealand
only 18.17 per cent., South America 64.09 per cent., and other countries the
balance, 3.74 per cent.
The imports from New Zealand for the year 1912 showed an increase of 8.4 per
cent. more than in 1911. Australia showed a decrease of 6.6 per cent., and South
America showed a decrease in mutton and lamb but an increase of 4.8 per cent. in
exports of meat more than in 1911, while North America, which at one time was
considered an inexhaustible source of supply, has lost ground so much that it has now
ceased to be a factor in the trade.
Exportation of Meat to the Continent.
This trade expands very slowly, there being many difficulties re regulations as to
organs being left in situ, duties, &c.
During 1912 the total shipments from all sources to the Continent, including
Mediterranean ports, are calculated as amounting to 20,368 tons, against 17,661 tons for
The following table shows the amount of meat exported from Smithfield, accompanied by Certificates from the Medical Officer of Health or the Veterinary Inspector :—
| Exported to | Fore-quarters of Beef. | Hind-quarters of Beef. | Flanks of Beef. | Briskets of Beef. | Pieces of Beef. | Carcases of Mutton. | Pieces of Mutton. | Sides of Pork. | Pieces of Pork. | Bags of Suet. | Ox Tongues. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 24 | 34 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Holland | 207 | 325 | 343 | 159 | 147 | — | — | 120 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| Switzerland | 106 | 171 | — | — | 4 | 548 | — | — | — | — | — |
| United States | — | — | — | — | — | — | 25 | — | 12 | — | — |
| Total | 337 | 530 | 343 | 159 | 151 | 548 | 25 | 120 | 24 | 2 | 1 |
Argentine Meat.
The quality of the meat coming from Argentina is of a high standard, but
unfortunately at. times quarters of beef arrive which, on being cut into joints, show some
of the lymph glands affected with tuberculosis.
This matter has given all concerned much serious thought during the year. The
importers of the meat are desirous that only sound meat should arrive, and it is only just
to state that many of the cases were reported to us by the importers as they observed the
lesions when the meat was cut up. The firms concerned have repeatedly asked for
suggestions as to the best means of preventing a recurrence of the trouble.