View report page

Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924.
Slaughter House Bye Laws,
and the Knackers' Yard Bye-Laws.
REPORT OF THE VETERINARY OFFICER
(Mr. H. E. Bywater, M.R.C.V.S.)
AND THE MEAT INSPECTOR (Mr. T. R. Harris).
Scope of Report;
This report covers the work carried out under the regulations
during the year (with the exception of that relating to
Stalls, Shops, Stores, etc.); and also that done in connection with
the slaughter-house and knackers'-yard bye-laws.
Ante Mortem Examinations.
4,284 animals were examined before slaughter, and a number
of these were noted for particular attention upon post-mortem.
Several cases of notifiable disease were observed, and dealt with
under the Diseases of Animals Acts.
Post-Mortem Examinations.
14,642 animals were examined after slaughter, and of this
number 2,192, or 14.97 per cent., were diseased.
Of the 2,812 Bovines inspected, 1,097, or 39.01 per cent.,
were affected with tuberculosis, and 480, or 17.06 per cent., were
otherwise diseased. Among the 2,674 Swine examined, 134, or
5.01 per cent., were found to be tubercular, while 164, or 6.13 per
cent., were suffering with other diseases. Sheep numbered
9,155, and of these 317, or 3.46 per cent., were diseased.
Table I. gives detailed information as to the numbers and
percentages of animals diseased, and in Tables II., III., and
IV. particulars are given of the meat condemned and the diseases
which rendered it unsound; while Table V. shows the total
quantity of meat found to be unfit for human food.
Tuberculosis.
The incidence of tuberculosis in bovines and swine is slightly
higher than in previous years.
The presence of any degree of tuberculosis in any animal
necessitates a special examination to determine the extent and
character of the infection prior to releasing any part of even a
slightly affected carcase, and the examination of such carcases
after they have "set" has occupied much time.
In Tables VI. and VII. are set out details of the deposition
of tuberculous lesions observed during post-mortem examinations.
75