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On termination of the War, on his resuming civil duty, attention was again directed to
the disease specially because the inspectors had now become familiar with the appearance
and location of the lesions, added to which lesions were occasionally found in muscular
tissue Statistics were carefully kept, and in the Annual Report of the Medical Officer
for 1926 the following words and figures appear:—
" Attention has previously been directed to the increasing frequency of caseous lymphadenitis
in sheep carcases. A further increase is noted in 1926 over 1925, thus:—
Exporting Country. 1925. 1926.
Argentine 263 267
Australia 9 143
Chile 10 93
New Zealand 7 30
Uruguay 62 91
351 624
It should be made an offence to cut out lymph glands from mutton and beef carcases, as
it is to cut out lymph glands from pig carcases."
The Consuls of the various countries were duly notified of the increased prevalence of
the disease. Remarks were made by importers that in no other town or district, except
the City of London, were such lesions discovered, or, if discovered, was any objection made
to them. In 1925 a special article on the subject by the late Medical Officer of Health and
Veterinary Officer of the City was published in the Medical Officer. In 1927 the number
of diseased carcases arriving from one of the exporting countries was so high that it became
necessary to detain and examine the whole of each consignment. This was specially necessary
because it was ascertained that no organised system of Governmental or Local Authority
meat inspection existed in the country of origin. It is worthy of mention that the importers
at once sent, at their own expense, well qualified Veterinary Officers to act as meat inspectors,
until the Government appointed qualified inspectors. In 1928, as the result of special
tests, it was decided that, with the exception of carcases from one country, all imported
mutton should be examined, and this was continued until July 1st, 1929, when, as the result
of advice given as to certain alterations in the method of examination in the abattoirs of
the exporting countries, a 10 per cent., instead of 100 per cent., examination, came into
and continues to be in operation. This continued effort has resulted in (a) a more uniform
examination of all imported carcases, (b) a special study of the disease in every exporting
country, and (c) an increased and better organised system of inspection in those countries
from which Great Britain receives mutton and lamb. During the year, approximately
1,250,000 carcases have been examined at Smithfield, nearly 13,000 carcases being surrendered
as affected with the disease.
Argentina.—From this country there were deposited in Smithfield Markets during
the year 175,411 tons of beef, 31,155 tons of mutton and lamb, 1,431 tons of pork, 153 tons
of poultry and game, 431 tons of butter, 18 tons of eggs and 9 tons of sundries. The total
amount of unsound food taken from those consignments will be found under Tables Nos. 19
and 20. With reference to disease, it will be observed from the following Table that there was
a marked increase in the amount of diseased meat discovered. The reason is given under the
heading of Caseous Lymphadenitis. Under the new method of examination recommended,
and now in operation in the Frigorificos, there has lately been a considerable decrease
in the number of carcases found to contain lesions of disease, and it is anticipated there
will be a continued improvement in 1930, as the Argentine Agricultural Department staff
of meat inspectors has been further increased.
Quarters of Beef.
1928. 1929.
Carcases of Mutton.
1928. 1929.
Quarters of Mutton,
1928. 1929.
Carcases of Pork.
1928. 1929.
Pieces. Sides.
1929. 1929.
Abscess 24 5 7 — — — 63 66 10 —
Caseous Lymphadenitis — — 1,624 7,097 56 243 — — 490 116
Cysticercus Bovis — 1 — — — — — — 1
Osteoporosis 2 3 — — — — — — — —
Tuberculosis (Hinds) 54 121 — — — — — 11
Tuberculosis (Fores) 17 19 — — — — — — — —
Totals 97 149 1,631 7,097 56 243 63 66 512 116
Australia.—The amount of food from this Dominion deposited in the Markets consisted
of 6,867 tons of beef, 10,814 tons of mutton and lamb, 151 tons of pork, 17 tons of poultry,
3,535 tons of rabbits, 187 tons of butter and 40 tons of eggs. The amount found unfit for
food is given in Tables Nos. 19 and 20. Reference to disease, it is worthy of note that
the Federal Inspection staff were the first to adopt the recommendations as to an improved
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