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79
food supervision.
The two preceding paragraphs may he summed up by saying that, while the number of
diagnosed cases of tuberculosis diminished by one-half during 1905, that of suspected cases rose
last year to nearlv three times the number of 1903-04.
That there is good reason to believe that the majority of, if not all, the "stripped"
carcases were tubercular, is evidenced by the facts that the parts removed were frequently
abnormal, and that morbid changes—the nature of which was not recognisable by the naked
eye as tubercular—were found in other parts of the bodies. It is commonly found that the
spaces left after removing the glands are considerably larger than they would be after
removal of healthy glands. The tonsils are the glands most frequently removed. In many
cases the other glands, such as the inguinal, iliac, parotid, &c., are also cut into, sometimes
minced up so that the naked eye can hardly recognise the gland structure. Such glands have
been found enlarged, discoloured and unhealthy in carcases from which the enlarged tonsils
had previously been removed. It has also been found that, where the tonsils have been
removed, leaving large, wet vacuities, and no other glands have been cut into, the latter, when
examined, have proved to be tubercular. On one or two occasions fragments of tubercular
disease have been left after removal of the tonsils.
Of the 57 stripped Dutch pigs, 19 (33.3 per cent.) presented abnormalities; of the
48 English, 20 (41 per cent.); and of the other 16, 9 (56 per cent.).
The fact that the vacuities are found moist indicates that the "stripping" has been but
a short time before the examination. It is not done in the Borough, as the carcases have
been frequently examined as delivered from the carrier's cart.
That there is either great carelessness or ignorance in the dressing of carcases is proved
bv the fact that plucks have been sent to retail shops with the lungs crowded with tubercular
lumps, the bronchial glands much enlarged and full of tubercular pus, and the liver studded
with tubercular nodules. To discover these signs of disease requires no special training.
The eye and the fingers will suffice for any one who has had the point once explained to him,
presuming he is anxious—or at least desirous—to detect disease.
The carcases from Holland, Denmark and the Netherlands have "inspection labels"
attached to them, certifying that they have been examined by the Inspector appointed by the
respective Government. The Dutch Government compensate the owner of the carcase if it
be condemned for tuberculosis subsequent to passing their Inspector. The label is not
always fastened in a manner which will prevent its misuse, and labels have been found on
carcases which are believed to have come from countries other than those of the labels.
On this the Inspector reports in the following terms:—
"It is usual for the labels on Dutch carcases to be fixed into the belly fat with a wire, close
up to the groin. On several occasions (in every instance stripping had taken place) I have seen
the labels fixed much lower. So loose was the wire in the lead seal that I could remove it with
my fingers. The carcases were so fresh and bright that I have no doubt they were not Dutch.
Moreover, where the glands had been removed, the vacuities were quite wet, and the peritoneal
covering to the belly fat has been red with blood staining, where the plucks had been placed
. inside. These conditions are not seen in Dutch pigs."
In consequence of the systematic examination of pigs' carcases in this Borough, the
wholesale traders at the Central Markets hold back carcases purchased for delivery here for
special inspection. In some instances refusals to sell have been reported. The holding back
leads to considerable delay in delivery, a matter of some importance.