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The Laboratory fitted up for the department is proving very useful, by its aid the
detection of Anthrax in the carcase of a pig deposited on the market was quickly
accomplished. A considerable amount of microscopical work has been done in
ascertaining whether disease was localised or generalised in carcases, particularly re the
diseases of pigs.
The want of uniformity in dealing with pig carcases, in which the lymph glands
of the head only exhibit a caseous condition, which may or may not be due to tubercle
bacillus, is still one of the most difficult problems meat inspectors have to deal with.
In some places a pig carcase showing such lesions is at once, without any
microscopical examination, certified to be tubercular and destroyed, while in other
places the same carcase would unhesitatingly be dealt with by cutting away the head,
after carefully ascertaining no other lesions were present, and passing the carcase,
this action being approved of by the Medical Officers of Health, whose anxiety
for the purity of the food supplied to the public is undoubted.
If the Local Government Board would, after enquiry, issue further instructions,
breeders, feeders, the butcher trade, and meat inspectors would experience a sense of
relief.
In conversation with farmers and pig breeders who attend the markets, I have been
surprised at their lack of knowledge re tuberculosis ; the majority of them have never
seen a postmortem case of the disease, and therefore, could not recognise the lesions,
hence diseased carcases may be sent to markets without any guilty knowledge on the
part of the consignors.
County Councils might do some good by arranging a few lectures and
demonstrations at various centres, to which farmers, breeders, and feeders should be
invited ; education is required in helping to reduce a disease so prevalent.
The following table shows the amount of tuberculous meat siezed at the Central
Markets, Smithfield, and it is worth noting, that in the majority of cases the disease
could only be detected by a person who had a knowledge of the position of the glands,
from which it would appear that the senders had no guilty knowledge.
Tuberculous Meat and Offal.
Nos.
lbs.
Beef Carcases
1
480
„ Quarters
12
2,360
,, Pieces
—
900
Pork Carcases
476
44,767
„ Pieces
—
1,368
Veal Carcases
2
146
„ Pieces
—
30
Tongues, Ox
5
25
Lungs, „
96
960
Livers, „
126
1,260
Stomachs „
8
200
52,496 lbs.
1911
23 tons 8 cwts. 1 qr. 12 lbs.
1910
22 tons 4 cwts. 2 qrs. 6 lbs.