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120
REPORT OF THE VETERINARY INSPECTOR.
1st March, 1911.
To the Medical Officer of Health.
Although I had the honour of being appointed Veterinary Surgeon and
Chief Inspector of Meat to the Public Health Department in November, 1909,
by an arrangement between the Sanitary Committee and the Cattle Markets
Committee I did not take up my new duties until 1st March, 1910, my
predecessor continuing in office until that date. One of the first things to
attract my attention after entering office was the magnitude and variety of
the work re meat inspection within the City, a work perhaps unequaled in
the world.
The variety of the food requiring inspection is such that it is almost
impossible to classify it, although an attempt will be made to do so in future
reports.
The Central Markets. Smithfield, are, of course, the chief centre of the
work, but the figures showing the amount of food entering the markets do
not give a full indication of the work done by the Inspectors, because, in
addition to the Central Markets, there are Leadenhall Market, Aldgate Market
and Slaughterhouses. 12 Cold Stores with a total capacity of 1,008,000
carcases of mutton or 252,000 quarters of beef, also the wholesale and retail
shops and food factories within the City.
The work of the Inspectors is of a most responsible and difficult character;
duty begins at 5 a.m., the greater part of the inspection is done under artificial
light (especially during the winter months), and during a great rush of
business. The inspection of pig carcases causes most difficulty, they being
hung with the heads almost on the floor, a position the reverse of suitable for
a satisfactory examination of lymphatic glands; and were it not for the
assistance willingly rendered by the salesmen and their assistants the difficulties
would be much greater. Not only has the inspection to be done quickly, but
particulars have to be taken as to the addresses of consignors of unsound food,
certificates (condemned notes) have to be written out, and all the unsound
food has to be removed from the markets as rapidly as possible.
When the amount of such food reaches a total of 35 tons in one day, as it
has done, the extent of the work may be realised. The system of inspection
adopted is to place an officer in charge of each section of the market, a change
of inspectors being made every month. The Senior Inspector moves from
section to section guiding the inspectors in their work, at the same time
arranging for the removal of all unsound food to the sheds, ordering the vans
necessary for its final removal, &c. In any case of doubt as to the fitness for
food of a carcase, it is detained until examined by the Veterinary Inspector,
who may, if necessary, make use of the microscope before giving a decision.