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polis, and that the butchers would soon perceive the advantages of
slaughtering in a clean, airy, well-ventilated abattoir, in lieu of the
close, stuffy places (immediately contiguous to the dwelling house and
shop in many instances) where this necessary but disagreeable work is
now carried on. I am quite aware that it has been contended that
private slaughter houses are unobjectionable, because no direct mischief
to health has been traced to them. But how often do we trace disease
directly to nuisances with which we deal ? We are satisfied that certain
things, to wit, defective drains, and privies without a water supply, are
injurious to health, and we act accordingly. In like manner we may
fairly conclude that many private slaughter houses must be objectionable
upon sanitary grounds, and all may become so without that incessant
supervision which official management can alone secure ; and as the
advantages of the private slaughter houses may, as I think, be obtained
without the evils, actual or possible, I confess to a hope that the modern
system will be adopted.
It may be mentioned that complaints are not unfrequently made by
persons living in the vicinity of slaughter houses, of disturbed rest from
the lowing of cattle and the bleating of sheep. These noises are due
I believe in some cases to the discomfort arising from the totally inadequate
space provided for the reception of the animals, which is often a
portion of the slaughter house itself, from which they can see, if not able
to comprehend, what is going on. It is almost unnecessary to say that
properly constructed abattoirs would be free from this objection, aud that
the comfort of the helpless creatures would be considered, and the
annoyance of which parishioners complain would cease, or at least be
felt in fewer localities.
It may be also mentioned as an answer to the assertion that the abolition
of private slaughter houses would enhance the price of meat, that not
only do half the butchers buy all their meat, but that many who have
licences rarely kill, and that the most extensive slaughterers probably
buy at least half the meat they sell. These different arrangements do
not appear to influence the price of meat in any way. The subjoined
extracts, from a letter received by Mr. Liddle, the Medical Officer
of Health for the Whitechapel district, from Dr. Littlejohn, of
Edinburgh, may serve to answer some of the objections raised against
the system of abattoirs:-
"No private slaughter houses are now permitted in Edinburgh, but
there is one public abattoir, containing 43 booths and one piggery.
The abattoir is considered very advantageous to
the trade, and also to the general public, animals are slaughtered in it
at a cheaper rate than in private slaughter houses, not to speak of the
greater cleanliness of the process, the meat is decidedly cheaper in consequence
of the unusual facilities afforded in the abattoir. The public,
but especially the poor, are benefited not only in the cheapening of the
food, but also in the form of sound wholesome food. Without a public
abattoir in which all animals used for food must be brought for inspection,
and to be slaughtered, there cannot be a satisfactory inspection of
butcher's meat. If private slaughter houses are allowed, the opportunities
for deception are so great that no amount of inspection
can prevent the sale of meat from unsound animals. In three years'
time the rent of the Edinburgh abattoir will have discharged the cost