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14
The Veterinary Inspector makes quarterly examinations of the cows,
numbering slightly over 100, on registered premises. He found them to be
healthy with the exception of one cow, which he suspected to be suffering
from tuberculosis ; although two examinations of the milk failed to show
the presence of tubercle bacilli, the owner had the animal slaughtered in
view of its general condition.
Under the Milk (Special Designations) Order, 1923, one licence only
was issued to a purveyor to sell certified milk.
Eighteen samples were examined for the presence of dirt and other
abnormal matter, and ten of these were also examined for tubercle bacilli,
in all cases with satisfactory results.
Meat.—Copies of the Public Health (Meat) .Regulations, 1924, and
explanatory circulars were issued to all butchers, stall-holders and grocers
in the District.
The Sanitary Inspector gave a large amount of attention to the
inspection of meat, paying 301 visits to the two slaughter houses in the
course of the year, generally at the time of, or shortly after, slaughter. He
reports that 2 bulls, 3 cows, 30 bullocks, 23 heifers, 42 calves, 1,092 sheep,
289 lambs and 773 pigs were slaughtered, and that the majority of the
carcases were examined.
The whole carcase of a bull, the heads and organs of a cow and heifer,
3 beasts' livers, 5 beasts' lungs, 31 sheep's livers, 79 sets of sheep's lungs,
6 sheep's plucks, 8 pigs' livers, 7 sets of pigs' lungs, and 4 pigs' plucks were
found diseased and were destroyed in the refuse destructor. In all, 4801b.
of meat and 5741b. of offal were destroyed.
Stores, shops, stalls and vehicles were inspected, and cleansing was
carried out in four cases and repairs in three cases at the request of the
Inspector. At one butcher's shop extensive alterations were carried out and
a glass front was provided, and greater care is now generally exercised to
keep meat well within the front line of the shops, as a result of the action
of the Inspector.
The number of slaughter houses at the dates undermentioned were :—
In 1920. In January, 1925. In December, 1926.
Registered '2 2 2
Licensed — — —
In one case a wooden partition which separated the cooling room from
some stables was replaced by a brick wall, the interior face of the walls was
rendered with cement and sand to a height of 3ft. 6in., and the ventilation
of the cooling room was improved.
Action was taken to stop the habitual slaughtering of pigs on unlicensed
premises, where the carcases were hung in the front room of the dwelling
house, and the occupier gave an undertaking that he would discontinue the
practice.
Other Foods.—A considerable amount of unsound food was surrendered
and destroyed in the refuse destructor. In all, 59 tins of potted meat, 17
of fish, 79 of tomatoes, 19 of other fruits, 9 of condensed milk, 5 of chutney