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14
I drew the attention of the Sanitary Committee to one or two instances of the character
of Sketch Plan III., and I attempted the argument that room B presented nuisances from
the point of view of defective lighting and ventilation, but I understand legal difficulties
stand in the way of upholding this contention. I am strongly of opinion that a time has
arrived when a moderate but definite control of the use of basements for continuous occupation
should be a feature of workshop legislation. I fear that the longer a definite pronouncement
in respect of the use of underground workrooms is delayed, the more difficult will it
be, not only to obtain the passing of such legislation, but subsequently to effect reforms,
because, as is always the position in such reforms, some degree of tolerance is extended to
those who have acquired a right to the existence of the defects.
MATTERS CONNECTED WITH FOOD SUPPLY.
Meat and Food Hygiene.—In respect of meat hygiene the Corporation has reason to
be satisfied with the progress that has been made during the last few years in the advancement
of this important subject. In 1916 at the instance of the Medical Officer of Health the
Sanitary Committee approved the following programme of nine points and it may, perhaps,
be permissible in the circumstances to set out in parallel columns the present position of
affairs:—
Col. 1.
Suggested Requirement.
1. With a view to ensuring uniformity
of action, routine meat inspection
should be made a compulsory duty of all
urban sanitary authorities.
2. With a view to safeguarding more
adequately the supply in urban districts,
there should be compulsory inspection of
those slaughterhouses in rural districts at
which carcases are dressed for sale in
outside areas.
3. Inspectors engaged on meat inspection
work should be required to possess
proof of knowledge of the subject.
4. Regulations should be framed dealing
not only with the details of inspection of
carcases, but with the sanitary requirements
of slaughterhouses, facilities for
inspection, and, perhaps, the requirements
of ante-mortem examinations. (A reasoned
argument, setting out the basis of suggested
new standards to replace the then existing
ones, was set out at some length. See
Meat Inspection Problems, Milroy Lectures.)
5. A system of meat marking under the
direct control of the Local Government
Board should be instituted and as a commencement
its adoption should be
voluntary ; but permission to adopt should
be within the power of the Board to grant
or to refuse.
col. 2.
Action Since Taken.
1. Routine meat inspection is now compulsory
in Scotland and a memorandum
of the Ministry of Health, in this country,
strongly advises that, so far as practicable,
all meat should be inspected. To ensure
the practicability of such a scheme all
persons slaughtering animals are required
to notify the fact of slaughter and in cases
of emergency, or urgency slaughter, a
definite procedure is also laid down.
2. By prescribed definite regulations
the slaughterhouses in all rural districts now
require to be registered.
3. This is a definite requirement in
Scotland, and in England the employment
of veterinary surgeons, as well as skilled
meat inspectors, has received official reference.
4. Details of routine inspection have
now been framed. These are of a compulsory
character in Scotland and of a suggested
standard in England. The regulations
replace the former suggestions submitted
by the Royal Commission of 1898.
5. Meat marking is now recognised in
this country under the new meat regulations
and closely follows the lines of the
system which had been considered by the
Sanitary Committee.