REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. 43 



goats. The animals inspected at the time of and after slaughter 

 numbered 49,179,057, of which 7,962,189 were cattle, 2,295,099 

 calves, 27,656,021 hogs, 11,149,937 sheep, and 115,811 goats. Owmg 

 to a marked shortage in the supply of hogs there was a decrease of 

 nearly 8,000,000 in the number slaughtered under inspection as com- 

 pared with the previous fiscal year, although there was an increase 

 in the number of all other species. 



There were condemned because of disease or other condition 113,742 

 entire carcasses and 874,211 parts of carcasses, making a total of 

 nearly 1,000,000 animals condemned in whole or in part, or about 2 

 per cent of the total number inspected. Tuberculosis was the cause 

 of over 46 per cent of the condemnations among cattle and over 96 

 per cent of those among hogs. 



Nearly six and a quarter billion pounds of meat food products of 

 various kinds were prepared under the supervision of the government 

 inspectors, and there were condemned on reinspection over 19,000,000 

 pounds of these products which had become unwholesome since 

 inspection at the time of slaughter. The steady decrease in condem- 

 nations of this class indicates a corresponding improvement in sanitary 

 conditions and in the methods of handling meat products in the pack- 

 ing houses. 



The Department continues to maintain the closest vigilance over 

 its meat-inspection service in order to guard against inefficiency or 

 corruption on the part of any of the members of its force and against 

 fraudulent practices on the part of the managejnent of the inspected 

 estabhshments. It is gratifying that, so far as known, there have 

 been no serious shortcomings during the past year. Not only does 

 the Department force show a high degree of integrity and efficiency, 

 but the proprietors of the inspected establishments as a rule are 

 entirely disposed to comply with the regulations and give cordial 

 cooperation in the work of inspection. The regulations are based 

 upon long experience and upon the best scientific knowledge not only 

 of the Department staff but of outside experts, and an honest eftort 

 is made to enforce these regulations. It can be said without question 

 that Government inspected meat merits the full confidence of the 

 public. 



The greatest source of danger with regard to the meat supply of 

 the country comes from the meat which is not subject to inspection. 

 The Government inspection is applied only to such meats as are pro- 

 duced by persons or establishments doing interstate or export busi- 

 ness, and covers but a little more than half of the country's meat 

 supply. The remainder must be looked after b}- state and municipal 

 authorities, and it is gratifying that there is a general awakening to 

 the need for local inspection. Inspection is already being carried on 

 by many cities and a few States, and in other places steps are being 



