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57
From table No. 4, it will be observed that tuberculosis amongst pigs appears
to be on the increase or less care is taken as to the freedom from tubercle bacilli
in the food supplied to them. Advice to some pig feeders on this subject seems
useless although it is given in their own interests. The eradication of tuberculosis
from pigs will never be effected until the chief source of the tubercle bacilli, viz.
the milk of diseased cows, is dealt with. .
ARGENTINA.—The quality of the meat sent from this country during the
year was excellent, though quarters of beef affected with tuberculosis continue
to be occasionally found in some of the lymphatic glands, chiefly the precrural
and ischiatic. Pathologically, it is interesting to find a well nourished hind quarter
of beef showing no lesions of disease in the kidney or its associated gland, or in the
lumbar and iliac glands, yet large lesions containing the tubercle bacilli in the
precrural and ischiatic glands are found. The experience in this country is generally
that those glands are only found affected when the disease is generalised.
59 quarters of beef (46 hinds and 13 fores) were found affected with tuberculosis.
The examination of ox tongues was continued with results shown in Table 5.
AUSTRALIA.—The quality of meat sent from this country showed an improvement.
There was also a distinct improvement in the dressing, cleanliness and
finish of the beef from some of the works.
The new method of cutting the hind quarters has been done satisfactorily
from a meat inspection point of view and has also given much satisfaction to the
trade, both wholesale and retail.
Two systems of defrosting were experimented with during the year, one on
a fairly extensive scale, but it did not find any supporters either among the wholesale
or retail traders. The other was only tried in a few quarters of beef and was not
enough to form a definite opinion on. It was carried out by passing an electric
current through the quarters. On the few tests made, it seemed the best system
tried in the City, but there does not seem to be any desire on the part of the trade
for any artificial system of defrosting meat.
NEW ZEALAND.—The quality of mutton and lamb from this country was,
as usual, good; only small quantities of beef arrived, some of which was good
quality, but there is no improvement in the dressing and finish.
An experiment is being made to bring a consignment of "Chilled" beef
under the "Linley System," the ship with 1,000 hind quarters should arrive in the
month of January. If success attends this effort it is proposed to try consignments
of "Chilled" hind quarters of beef from Australia.
Two hind quarters of beef were found affected with tuberculosis.
HOLLAND.—Large quantities of meat, chiefly veal, pork, mutton and lamb,
arrived from this country, which supplies the bulk of fresh pork of exceptionally
uniform quality.
The cleanliness, finish and method of handling has been very good. Only 12
pig carcases were found affected with tuberculosis.
SWEDISH MEAT.—By special arrangement under the Foreign Food Regulations,
Swedish meat is allowed to be delivered on the Markets without inspection
at the port of landing, subject to the condition that it is not sold until examined.
The following particulars show the quantity which arrived and the results of
the examinations:—
168 Pigs' Kidneys.
2 Lambs.
1,424 Pigs.
8 Barrels Pigs' Plucks.
4 Cases ,, „
393 Pigs' Plucks.
RESULT OF EXAMINATION—Seizures.
58 Pigs'Livers Decomposition.
35 Pigs' Kidneys ,,
216 Pounds of Pork Injury.
8 Barrels Pigs' Plucks Decomposition.
1 Case Pigs' Plucks ,,
47 Pigs' Plucks ,,