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16
character of the witnesses, and had found that many frivolous and
irrelevant questions were asked. A great experiment had been
carried on at Edinburgh, which had resulted in a great saving financially,
and an improvement in the public health, yet no one from that
city was examined as to these matters. A great discussion had
likewise been carried on at Liverpool on the subject, and definite results
arrived at there; but no gentleman from that town was consulted.
Most of the witnesses examined were interested persons carrying on
the very trades, the nature and effect of which were under discussion.
A medical man or two was among them, and examined; but he (the
Chairman) feared their evidence was not respected. It was a
misfortune that this inquiry should have led to so disappointing an
issue. He was quite convinced, in his own mind, that we should
have in our great cities slaughter-houses under the control of the
public authority. He felt doubt, however, whether they should be
open to any one to slaughter in them when he chose. He would
have them let to individuals. If they were placed entirely and exclusively
in the hands of the public authority, that authority would
go to sleep, but if let to individuals under suitable conditions, it
would take care that the tenants observed these conditions. If we
were to have private places we must have a license on the one hand,
and bye-laws on the other. The license must be granted by the
authority which supervised, with rigid conditions and rigid bye-laws
regulatiug the manner in which the business should be conducted.
In this matter it was our duty to stimulate public opinion, and watch
its operation. It was impossible to enforce such things greatly in
advance of public sentiments, and before we could have what we
desired in a really efficient manner, we must have a strong municipal
authority—an authority possessing the public confidence. To
the spread of scientific education he looked for good results, and
he was convinced that one of the results of the public education
of the country would eventually be far more effective than laws
relating to the public health.
Dr. Carpenter moved—
"That the subject be referred to the Standing Committee of the
Health Department, in order that the Council may be recommended
to take action in the matter if necessary."
Dr. T. O. Dudfield seconded the motion, and in doing so, called attention
to the fact that a great many private slaughter-houses had been
tolerated by the medical inspectors, which would never have been
allowed to continue had it not been known that they were, as a
whole, in consequence of the law, non-permanent.
Mr. Sneade Brown proposed, and Dr. Carpenter seconded, a
vote of thanks to the Chairman, which was carried unanimously.
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