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100
This recommendation has always been carried out in its integrity by your
officers, as also generally throughout the Metropolis, and the importance of
so doing is emphasized in Dr. G. S. Buchanan's Report to the Local Government
Board dated 7th December, 1905, on "Administration in London with regard
to meat of pigs affected with Tuberculosis."
In considering the relation between human Tuberculosis and Tuberculosis
in certain of the lower animals, Dr. Buchanan remarks (page 9) that—
"Any person who takes tuberculous matter of animal origin
"(containing living tubercle bacilli) into the body along with food,
"thereby incurs some risk of acquiring tuberculous disease"* is an
inference which is generally drawn and which rests upon a considerable
mass of evidence, experimental and clinical. The extent to which meat
from tuberculous animals may be responsible for producing human
Tuberculosis is, however, a matter in which it is impossible to express
an opinion. Relatively to other causes of Tuberculosis it is no doubt
small. The Royal Commission of 1898 pointed out that in this country
there has been in some quarters a tendency to exaggerate the risk in
question;
and in commenting on the recommendations of the Commissions before
referred to regarding meat of tuberculous pigs, Dr. Buchanan says (pages 9
and. 10):—
In Tuberculosis of the bovine animal it is practicable in a great number
of instances to distinguish between those internal organs and those parts
of the carcass which contain recognisable tubercle bacilli and remaining
organs or other parts of the carcass in which there is ground for assumption
that no tuberculous matter exists. The working rulesf framed by
* Report, Royal Commission on Tuberculosis, 1895, paragraph 22.
† "The following principles should be observed in the inspection of tuberculous carcasses of
" cattle:—
" (a.) When there is miliary Tuberculosis of both lungs
"(b.) When tuberculous lesions are present on the
"pleura and peritoneum
"(c.) When tuberculous lesions are present in the
"muscular system, or in the lymphatic glands
"embedded in or between the muscles
"(d.) When tuberculous lesions exist in any part of an
"emaciated carcass
The entire carcass and all the
organs may be seized.
" (a.) When the lesions are confined to the lungs and
"the thoracic lymphatic glands
" (b.) When the lesions are confined to the liver
" (c.) When the lesions are confined to the pharyngeal
"lymphatic glands
"(d.) When the lesions are confined to any combination
"of the foregoing, but are collectively small
"in extent
The carcass, if otherwise
healthy, shal not be condemned,
but every part of
it containing tuberculous
lesions shall be seized.
"In view of the greater tendency to generalisation of Tuberculosis in the pig, we consider that the
"presence of tubercular deposit in any degree should involve seizure of the whole carcass and of
"the organs.
"In respect of foreign dead meat, seizure shall ensue in every case where the pleurae have been
"'stripped.'"
The Local Government Board drew attention to this matter in the circular letters which they
addressed to the Councils of Boroughs and Urban and Rural Districts on the 11th March, 1899, and
they again referred to it in a circular dated 6t.h September, 1901, and strongly urged Councils to direct
those of their officers who were employed as Meat Inspectors to act in accordance with the principles
laid down by the Royal Commission.