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87
As fully reported in the Minutes of the late "Vestry of the 16th May, 1900,
the carcase of an ox was detained in a slaughter-house with a view to seizure,
the following conditions having been found on slaughtering :—
1.—As to the Internal Organs.
(a) Both lungs contained numerous large and small tubercular nodules
and several abscesses filled with creamy pus, the lungs being very
badly diseased. The thoracic lymphatic glands contained numerous
tubercular nodules.
(b) The liver contained numerous tubercular nodules, both large and
small, mostly situated in the one half of the liver nearer the
circulatory vessels and ducts.
(c) The pharyngeal lymphatic glands were also affected with pronounced
tuberculosis.
(d) The mesenteric glands were also affected with pronounced
culosis.
(e) The malt or spleen presented abnormal patches on the surface.
2.—As to the Carcase.
The carcase appeared well fed and healthy to the naked eye. The cervicle
glands and glands near the spine, although presenting some mottling or
patchiness, presented no distinct signs of tubercle to the naked eye.
On account of the well fed appearance of the carcase and the objections of
the owner, further opinion was sought, and as both the Veterinary Inspector
of the Metropolitan Cattle Market, and the Medical Officer of Holborn District,
into which the London Meat Market extends, stated that in the London
Cattle and Meat Markets such a carcase would be allowed to be sold, it was
released with regret.
It is quite clear that there is a great gap between the minimum conditions
laid down by the Royal Commission justifying only the seizure of particular
organs, and the maximum condition justifying the seizure of an entire carcase,
and this gap requires filling up, and the existing conditions also require
amplifying. Provision is made for this contingency in the recommendation
of the Royal Commission in paragraph 6 to the following effect:—" We
recommend that the Local Government Board be empowered to issue instructions
from time to time for the guidance of Meat Inspectors, prescribing the
degree of tubercular disease which, in the opinion of the Board, should cause
a carcase, or part thereof, to be seized."
The Royal Commission only failed to recommend compensation in appropriate
cases by a majority of one, and it is very evident that in a case such as the
foregoing, the question of compensation was the stumbling block.
The lute Vestry resolved to petition the Local Government Board upon the
lines of the minority memorandum attached to the Report of the Royal
Commission, as follows:—