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During the year 1898, the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis
issued its Report and in consequence thereof public attention has,
during the past few months, been attracted to the very serious prevalence
of phthisis and other tubercular diseases in this country.
With regard to meat, the Commissioners express the opinion that
although the danger of tuberculous infection from this source, has by
some been exaggerated, nevertheless the danger is a very real one unless
due care is taken in the cleaning and dressing of the carcases of animals
slaughtered for human food. To ensure this a regular system
of inspection is necessary, and proper supervision could
only be provided for by the erection of public abattoirs under
the control of the local authorities. Some butchers, and
others connected with the meat trade, have .expressed their
opposition to the abolition of private slaughter-houses, but this
arises from a, perhaps not unnatural, objection to any change in the
existing order of things. Judging from the experience of those who
have investigated the system of public abattoirs now adopted in most
European countries, there can be no doubt that if such were once
established here, our butchers would very soon realize and
appreciate the convenience and great advantages of the system, and the
gain to the public, as consumers of the meat, would be incalculable.
With regard to milk, the danger is much greater. A very large
proportion of the dairy cows in England are tuberculous, and whenever
the udder is affected the milk given is potent to convey infection to the
consumers. Children being the largest users of milk, are especially
exposed to danger from this source. As there is no legal provision for
the exclusion of milk from cows with diseased udders from a dairy
supply, and as there is evidence to show that a very considerable
amount of the milk sold is contaminated with tuberculous material, it is
of the utmost importance that all milk should be boiled before use, as
by this means the tubercle germ is effectually destroyed.
Another source of infection is the large amount of tuberculous
material that is daily strewn broadcast in our streets and houses by
those who are suffering from phthisis. The expectoration of these
unfortunate persons is a most potent infective agent, containing as it does