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the lairing within the existing curtilage and to bring the slaughterhouse
up to the standards of the new Regulations. The Public Health Committee,
at their meeting on the 31st March, then granted a temporary licence
until the 30th June, subject to the undertakings given by the applicant.
Inspection of Meat
The total number of animals slaughtered last year at the four slaughterhouses
was 7,197, compared with 7,654 in 1958.
The number of cattle killed dropped to 926 from 1957, a satisfactory
feature, as these are the animals which the local slaughterhouses
are least equipped to deal with in large numbers. The number of sheep
killed increased to 4,434 from 3,526. Probably as a result of the Attested
Herd Scheme and Area Eradication Plan, tuberculosis in cattle has
declined, only five cases being diagnosed in the last six months of the
year.
The incidence (1958 figures in brackets) of tuberculosis in cattle other
than cows was 3.51% (5.14%), in cows 18.6% (19.3%) and pigs 1.76%
(2.34%). There was one case of generalised tuberculosis in a beast; all
other cases were localised, the most common site of lesions being the
respiratory and digestive systems in cattle, and the head in pigs.
15 cases of cysticercus bovis, a cause of tape worm in man, were
diagnosed, a percentage of 1.62% (1.63%). All cases were localised, eight
lesions being found in the head, seven in the heart and two in the diaphragm;
four cases were degenerate and the carcases released. All the
other carcases were submitted to treatment by refrigeration.
The incidence of other diseases was 33.5% (27.9%) in cattle, 39.5%
(35.3%) in cows, 17.8% (22.7%) in pigs and 10.9% (9.8%) in sheep.
Parasitic infections were the most common trouble in cattle and sheep,
and respiratory disorders in pigs.
The total weight of meat condemned at slaughterhouses was 8,207
lbs. (15,405 lbs.). This was destroyed by incineration at the Wembley
destructor.
The following is a summary of the return of the post-mortem inspection
of animals at slaughterhouses, and relates to carcases and offal
inspected and condemned in whole or in part:—