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69
CASEOUS LYMPHADENITIS.
This disease appeared in 1926 during the examination of frozen
carcases of mutton.
To discover this condition it was necessary to cut six of the superficial
lymphatic glands in each carcase. In view of the fact that approximately
700,000 carcases were arriving in the Borough during the season,
it was found impossible to cope with this examination with our own
staff. Arrangements were made with the importers to supply butchers
to do the necessary cutting under the supervision of your inspectors.
This 100 per cent, examination led the importers to consider that more
stringent supervision in the country of origin was necessary, and
they accordingly communicated with the shippers on this subject, since
which time there has been a general improvement in all the carcases
arriving from exporting countries.
In August, 1932, on representations made to the Ministry of Health
by the Port Medical Officers to the effect that the incidence of Caseous
Lymphadenitis in carcases of imported mutton arriving in their districts
is now small, and that there is no significant difference between carcases
arriving from Australia and elsewhere, it was decided that :
(1) 5 per cent, of all carcases, irrespective of country of
origin, be examined.
(2) 100 per cent, of all pieces, whatever the country of origin,
be examined.
In regard to the joints and pieces, it will be noticed that a 100
per cent, examination is still necessary, which is significant.
RENDERED FATS.
The Regulations require that all rendered fats shall be accompanied
by a veterinary certificate, stating that they had been obtained from
healthy animals. Merchants found certain difficulties regarding importation
of uncertified fats, and accordingly had them labelled
Inedible," trusting that this would place them outside the scope of
the Regulations.
The matter was taken up with the Ministry of Health and the
importers, with the result that all consignments so marked are now
placed under detention and subsequently released upon the provision
of a suitable guarantee that they are to be used for technical purposes
only. This class of "Fat" is kept under very close scrutiny by the
Health Department.
RICE.
About 2,000 bags of rice recently arrived from Italy; some of
them were marked with a red cross, the marked portions were cut