London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Port of London 1911

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Port of London]

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44
(c) To prohibit Tongues, &c., imported in pickle, provided such pickle
contains any of the following substances:—
Formalin. Salicylic Acid.
Formic Aldehyde. Formic Acid.
Fluorine. Sulphurous Acid.
Boron. Benzoic Acid.
During the year 1910, the fore-quarters of Beef coming from certain Australian
ports were found to be extensively infected with "worm." This was practically
confined to certain parts of the fore-quarters, and during the year 1911, the exporters
in Australia have removed the briskets and those portions of the fore-quarters which
were found to be particularly liable to be attacked by the "worm." Hind-quarters have
been found also to be more or less affected, and this has necessitated the careful
examination of every hind-quarter of Beef arriving from Australia by the Inspectors
of this Authority.
It was found that certain marks and consignments were more extensively affected
than others. Thus, some marks were found to contain "worm" to the extent of
70 per cent., whilst in others, it was so small as to be practically negligible.
The Commonwealth of Australia have appointed Veterinary Inspectors to examine
quarters of Beef before they are exported. It has been found, however, that such
Inspectors were apparently not very expert in the examination of hind-quarters, for
several consignments bearing certificates, stating that that had been examined, were
found on inspection here to be affected to the extent of 50 per cent.
The results have from time to time been reported to the High Commissioner for
the Commonwealth of Australia in London, and he has made stringent representations
to the Commonwealth Goverment as to the necessity of a thorough and reliable
examination being made of the meat, &c., before it is exported to this country. A
Veterinary Inspector has been appointed who will be attached to the office of the
High Commissioner in London. Similar inspectors have been appointed by the
Dominion of New Zealand and the Argentine Republic. If these inspectors will
co-operate with the Sanitary Authorities of this country, the standard of meat inspection
in the exporting country will be kept high, and will ensure that meat will arrive from
those countries which is quite sound and free from disease.
Pigs imported in the form of whole carcasses have been carefully examined. Those
arriving from Holland and Belgium have been found to bear evidence of careful
examination, and speaking generally, to be free from disease. Those arriving from
Australia, however, often require careful examination. On one occasion 50 pigs arrived
from Tasmania, bearing a label that they had undergone both ante and post-mortem
examinations. It was found, however, that the lymphatic glands in the neck had not
been exposed, or even examined. It was found that five of the pigs contained deposits
of tubercle in the glands of the neck.