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in cases where the animal is inspected at the time of slaughter (when the evidence of the organs is
present, and the Inspector is in a position to give a definite opinion), the existence of any degree of
disease should be an indication of the necessity for further examination, and in such cases the back
bone should be cut down and the kidneys and other glands throughout the body should be carefully
inspected. If there is no further evidence of disease, it would appear to be perfectly safe to remove
the part affected (usually the head) and to allow the rest of the carcase to be used for food."
The confusion referred to exists, and in justice to dealers in meat and to meat inspectors it
should be put an end to by Regulations which the Local Government Board are empowered to
make.
Prosecution.—On March 6th 7 stone of dabs in the initial stages of putrefaction were seized
on premises occupied as a fried fish shop. At the time of the seizure, namely, about 11 a.m., the
occupier was cleaning the fish with a view to preparing them for human food. They had been
sold the same morning in Billingsgate about 7 a.m. Proceedings were instituted, and the Billingsgate
vendor was fined £5. A statement by the purchaser in Court that he had intended to
surrender the fish was accepted, and the summons in this case was withdrawn.
On a second summons the Billingsgate vendor was again fined £5 for selling 7 stone of stale
dabs, which had also been bought on March 6th and surrendered by the purchaser on the morning
of the same day at the Town Hall.
It is of interest to note that this second conviction would probably have been quashed on
appeal. In the case of Rex v. Ascanio Puck & Co. in the King's Bench Division on October 18th,
1912, the Judge upheld the contention that inasmuch as the purchaser had voluntarily taken the
goods to the Sanitary Inspector there was no liability to seizure, because at the time the Inspector
took possession of them they were not intended by the local dealer for the food of man nor had
they been sold, exposed or deposited for sale or preparation for sale by the purchaser.
SALE OF FOOD AND DRUGS ACT.
Each of the ten Sanitary Inspectors is appointed as an inspector under the above Acts, and is
instructed to take samples in any place in the Borough which is not within his own sanitary district.
During the year the Inspectors collected 699 samples, of which 66 (or 9 per cent.) were adulterated.
Proceedings were taken against 22 persons for adulteration or other offences, the fines and
costs inflicted amounting to i!43 lis. 6d.