View report page

51
The hind-quarters, on careful examination, were also found to be affected
chiefly in the vicinity of the stifle or knee-joint, and a few scattered nodules
on the surface of the meat. The percentage found affected is also very high,
as will be seen from the following examination of the consignments from only
two vessels:—
Of 4,617 hind-quarters examined, 2,839 or 61.49 per cent. were found to
contain the parasite Spiroptera Reticulata.
Of 805 hind-quarters examined, 564 or 70 per cent. were found to be affected.
In consequence it has been found necessary to examine each hind-quarter of
Australian beef, and to remove any worms together with the tissues
surrounding them. An inspector working eight hours per day can examine
and supervise the removal of worms from 200-250 hind-quarters per day.
Many vessels arrive with between 6,000-7,000 hind-quarters on board
for London, so some idea may be formed of the time which has been occupied
by the Sanitary Inspectors in connection with the importation of beef from
Australia. Under the Local Government Board's order for joint action
referred to, it has been possible to allow large numbers of hind-quarters to go
into the Sanitary areas for examination, otherwise the Port Sanitary Staff
would have had to be much increased in order to inspect the consignments
arriving.
The worm in the hind-quarters is generally situated deeply, requiring
considerable cutting in order to find the worm, and when found, to ensure
that the whole of the worm with the surrounding tissues, has been removed.
A report has been issued by the Local Government Board, by
Dr. MacFadden and Dr. Leiper. They were provided with specimens by
the Food Inspectors of the Port of London, for examination. In their
opinion the worm is incapable of developing within the human body,
but there can be no question that the worm with the meat in the immediate
vicinity, is quite unfit for human food.
I am informed that the Commonwealth of Australia have instituted
a rigorous system of inspection of beef for export, and that in future
all flanks and briskets from fore-quarters will be cut off before being allowed
to leave the country, and if this be done it will considerably lessen the work
of the Officers of this Authority in connection with this importation. It will,
however, be necessary to examine salt beef and perhaps tinned meat, to ensure
that the flanks and briskets when removed are not exported to this country
under those forms.
Dr. Leiper's conclusions are as follows:—
(1) The parasitic nodules in Australian beef are, without exception,
due to the presence of long thread-like worms of the genus Onchocerca,