London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
City of London 1913
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for London, City of ]
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90
REPORT OF THE VETERINARY SURGEON.
During the year 1913, 432,111 tons of meat, &c., were deposited for sale in the
Central Markets, Smithfield, being an increase of 1,828 tons over the total for 1912.
†Comparison—Supplies 1913 and 1912.
| Source of Supply or Classification. | 1913. | 1912. | Difference. | Rate per cent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | Tons. 99,148 | Tons. 116,865 | Tons. 17,717 decrease | 15.2 |
| Australasian "Frozen" | 103,463 | 91,688 | 11,775 increase | 12.8 |
| *North American "English Killed" | 4,541 | 8,393 | 3,852 decrease | 45.9 |
| *North American "Frozen" | 2,111 | 2,913 | 802 „ | 27.5 |
| South American "English Killed " | ... | ... | ... | ... |
| South American "Chilled" and "Frozen" | 172,863 | 165,811 | 7,052 increase | 4.2 |
| Continental Countries | 49,985 | 44,613 | 5,372 „ | 12.0 |
| Total Meat, Poultry and Provisions | 432,111 | 430,283 | 1,828 „ | .4 |
†Analysis of Supplies, 1913.
| Source of Supply. | Beef and Veal. | Ratio per cent. | Mutton and Lamb. | Ratio per cent. | Pork and Bacon. | Ratio per cent. | Poultry, Game, Rabbits, &c. | Ratio per cent. | Totals. | Ratio per cent. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | Tons. | ||||||
| United Kingdom | 48,348 | 20.9 | 29,695 | 21.4 | 9,399 | 26.4 | 11,706 | 44.9 | 99,148 | 22.9 |
| Australasia | 15,948 | 6.9 | 83,516 | 60.3 | 5 | .02 | 3,994 | 15.4 | 103,463 | 23.9 |
| *North America | 5,744 | 2.5 | 25 | .02 | 187 | .5 | 696 | 2.7 | 6,652 | 1.6 |
| South America | 154,503 | 66.6 | 18,306 | 13.2 | 25 | .08 | 29 | .1 | 172,863 | 40.0 |
| Continent, &c. | 7,268 | 3.1 | 7,072 | 5.1 | 26,018 | 73.0 | 9,627 | 36.9 | 49,985 | 11.6 |
| Totals | 231,811 .. | 100.0 | 138,614 | 100.0 | 35,634 | 100.0 | 26,052 | 100.0 | 432,111 | 100.0 |
Foot and mouth disease is still prevalent in the Argentine Republic and the dead
meat trade has developed into such an important industry that it will in all probability
continue to be the method of exporting meat from other countries into Great Britain.
The United States of America has become a serious competitor with this country
for Argentine meat.
As showing how serious an aspect the North American competition has assumed
it may be noted that in one week alone 28,000 quarters of beef and 12,000 carcases of
mutton and lamb, equal to 7,000 cattle and 12,000 sheep, or a total of 19,000 animals
were shipped direct from Buenos Aires to the United States ports in addition to
shipments of meat via London and Liverpool.
* Includes the Dominion of Canada and the United States of America,
† Abstracted from the Superintendent of Market's Report.