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58
summonses taken out; Police Courts have also been attended
on several occasions, and the Board and pig proprietors were
alike represented by counsel. On the first hearing arrangements
were made by counsel that the pig keepers should
have time to make such alterations in the construction of
their styes, so as to prevent any nuisance. At the second
hearing it was suggested by Mr. Douglas Straight that Mr.
Ingham, the Magistrate, should visit Lachmere Grove Piggeries.
He did so at once, and, as some of the owners
had commenced the suggested improvements in the styes,
and others complaining they had not had sufficient time, a
further adjournment was made till March, and so the matter
at present remains. I must thank those gentlemeu, Members
of the Board, who undertook the unpleasant duty of inspecting
these piggeries, and for presenting themselves at the
Court for examination—not in any tyrannous spirit I believe
against the proprietors, but as independent witnesses of the
actual state of affairs.
The subject of diseases among pigs having been so
recently before the Board, it will be unnecessary for me to
dwell upon it here, so I shall simply repeat the opinion
given in my special report, viz. :—
" Knowing that all diseases must affect the flesh, and that we
are dependent on the purity of that flesh for the nourishment of
our bodies, I cannot bring myself to the belief that the flesh
of animals dyiug from inflammatory diseases is not hurtful to
health. I further believe the animals on which myself and the
Cattle Inspector of the Metropolitan Board of Works made postmortem
examinations, and found had died of Tuberculosis, would
be positively injurious as food. One would 1'eel some satisfaction
if all meat was first sent to market; but I fear much questionable
meat is disposed of without appearing there."
The cow and slaughter-houses in this district, numbering
over sixty, were duly inspected for the purpose of
renewing the licenses. All were renewed with one
exception, and the reason of this one being withheld was