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Thus, in a systematic manner, an endeavour is made to seize only what is
definitely unfit for food, the interests of the public are carefully guarded,
while the consignor is justly dealt with. Certificates (condemned notes) are
given for all meat seized, and, if necessary, the reason for seizure is stated
thereon.
After the unsound meat has been taken to the sheds it is placed in lockup
vans, and before being passed over the market weighbridges it is coloured
by means of an aniline dye, the vans locked, and the contents sent to a
manure factory.
The Leadenhall Market and the Cold Stores are carefully inspected, as also
the shops and factories.
Slaughterhouses.
The slaughterhouses at Aldgate, seven in number, are very old premises,
and therefore difficult to improve or bring up to modern ideas as to what
slaughterhouses ought to be, although two or three of them have been very
much improved lately. Due to lack of sufficient inspectors, the examination
of all animals slaughtered has not been as systematic as you desired; this
defect is being remedied by the appointment of two additional inspectors, and
by the aid of the proposed new Bye-laws it will, in future, be possible to make
a careful examination of all animals slaughtered.
The two most important clauses in the Bye-laws provide for—
(1) The detention of all carcases and offal in the slaughterhouses
until examined by an inspector.
(2) That the occupier of a slaughterhouse who intends to kill any
animal before 6 a.m. or after 9 p.m. shall give three hours' notice prior
to the time of commencing to kill such animal, in order that an inspector
may be present at the time of slaughter.
Imported Meat.
Speaking generally, the meat imported from the various countries is free
from disease, most of the meat seized as unfit for food being affected with
"bone taint" "mould fungi," "brine stains," or occasionally unsound in
consequence of some failure of the refrigerating machinery on board ship.
With regard to "mould fungi" found on beef arriving from Argentina, the
meat has lately been much freer from such growths, and as the remedy, viz.,
hygienic handling, sterilization, and rapid transport in modern vessels is in the
hands of the importers themselves, it is to be hoped that ere long the amount
of meat arriving on the market affected with fungi will soon be an infinitesimal
quantity. Keeping in view the fact that such moulds by themselves are