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77
[1933
trader from a knacker's establishment at Pewsey, Wiltshire, and observations
were kept on the trader's home address, but he was not seen to arrive. He was
known to purvey meat regularly on Tuesdays and Fridays from a stall in Islington.
On the morning following the message instructions were given to two of the
Sanitary Inspectors to visit and examine the meat exposed or deposited for the
purpose of sale on the trader's stall. The Medical Officer of Health and Superintendent
on receipt of a telephone call went and examined a quantity of cow beef
on the stall, and in a two-seater motor which was standing in front of the stall.
With the exception of two top pieces and two rumps, all the meat had been boned
and stripped, that is, the pleura and peritoneum had been removed. Three pieces
of meat and a kidney were found to have tuberculous glands, evidently meat from
the carcase of a tuberculous cow. A further examination of the meat did not
disclose any evidence of disease, but the fact of the meat being boned out was in
itself a suspicious circumstance. Twenty-eight pounds' weight of meat was seized
and condemned by a Justice.
For the purposes of legal action we were confined necessarily to the portions
found diseased, as we had not definite proof or information regarding the rest of
the meat. Two top pieces showed evidence of bird-dung on the surfaces, but
apart from this the meat could not be considered unfit. The evidence, however, of
this bird-dung was of use in the subsequent prosecution, as the slaughterhouse
proper in Pewsey is protected against such contamination, whereas the knacker's
yard is not. The butcher called at the Public Health Department and stated that
the carcases had been despatched to him from Pewsey and that the meat which he
personally brought up from the knackery was still in his possession, but he refused
to say where it was stored, stating it was to be sold to the proprietors of some dog
kennels with whom he had regular business. We communicated with the person
whom the butcher said had consigned the meat to him, but no reply was received.
On the two charges of exposing for sale diseased meat unfit for human food, and
for depositing for sale diseased meat unfit for human food, the defendant was
fined 25 guineas and five guineas costs on each summons, a total of £63; the
defendant was committed to prison in default.
PICKLED HORSE FLESH OFFERED TO MEAT PASTE
MANUFACTURERS.
It came to the knowledge of the Medical Officer of Health that pickled horseflesh
was being offered to makers of fish and meat paste in the Borough. Our
local firms are of good repute and would not of course think of using horseflesh,
as they value their reputation too much to be tempted to buy anything of the sort.
The matter seemed of sufficient importance to be investigated, as there does not
seem to be any law to prevent the sale of the flesh of horses, asses and mules to
meat paste manufacturers, the only proviso being that the place from which the
horseflesh is vended must have a notice conspicuously and legibly printed in letters
not less than four inches long indicating that horseflesh is sold, and the sale of
other meat is prohibited.
In the same circular sent to meat paste manufacturers, cow flesh was also
being offered. Supposing a meat paste manufacturer were tempted to purchase
and add pickled horseflesh to his paste, the only way we could apparently take
action would be under the Sale of Horse Flesh, etc., Regulation Act, 1889, for
his not having the former mentioned notice up indicating that horseflesh was sold,
and if the mixture did not contain wholly horse meat or if he also sold other meat
paste, I presume action could be taken.