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the change is probably conveyed by the blood. It has been proved by Abderhalden that
when animals receive a diet containing fat in excess such a fat-splitting ferment becomes
actually demonstrable in their blood. It is, therefore, possible that in fattened animals a
sufficient amount of the ferment is present in the blood at death to give rise to local
fat-splitting around the blood vessels.
The pigment of the yellow areas has been examined for me by Mr. Mackenzie Wallis.
It is readily extracted with petroleum ether, to some extent with ether, but not with
alcohol. Its solution gives the spectrum of a lipochrome. There are no bands suggesting
any derivation from hæmoglobin, nor can I find any microscopic evidence of hæmatoiden
or any blood derivation. It cannot be determined whether the pigmentation is due to a
concentration of the natural lipochrome of the fat, or to the lipochrome brought by the
blood stream.
The condition as is already stated is not one which will give rise to ill effects, but
the average person would refuse to purchase meat from a carcase with the fat so
affected.
The condition is only found in the best fed animals and probably there is some
close relationship between the excess of fat and the nutrition of this element.
GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE WORK.
No important changes have been introduced in regard to inspection work at
Smithfield during the past year.
The system has developed as a consequence of experience, and any variation
requires very careful consideration before being adopted.
Some few years prior to my coming on duty, the department had been strengthened
by the appointment of Mr. Young, your present Veterinary Surgeon, and the
organisation has benefited from his experience.
There are many matters associated with meat inspection which will ultimately be
brought to your notice as the time seems opportune in the form of reports to the
Committee.
BYE-LAWS WITH REGARD TO THE CONDUCT OF THE
BUSINESSES OF A VENDOR OF FRIED FISH, A FISH CURER,
AND A RAG AND BONE DEALER.
In accordance with the powers conferred under Sub-section III., Section 9, of the
London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1908, which enacts that the
Corporation may make Bye-laws for regulating the conduct within the City of
London of the businesses of a Vendor of Fried Fish, a Fish Curer, and a Rag and
Bone Dealer, the Corporation have made such Bye-laws with regard to these three
trades. These have been submitted to the Local Government Board and Home Office,
who have approved those relating to the Vendors of Fried Fish and Fish Curers. The
Bye-laws with regard to Rag and Bone Dealers are still under their consideration.
For many years the offensive odours arising from the conduct of these businesses
have been a familiar source of annoyance, and but little power has been possessed by
Local Authorities to demand that they shall be carried on in such a manner that they
shall cause as little nuisance as possible.
It is here unnecessary to refer in detail to the new powers with which the sanitary
authority is armed. They are, however, comprehensive, and may be regarded as a
valuable addition to legislative efforts.