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ANNUAL KEPOETS OF DEPARTMENT OF . AGKICULTUEE. 



MEAT INSPECTION DIVISION. 



R. P. Steddom, Chief. 



The figures for the Federal meat inspection exceeded the previous 

 high mark of the fiscal year 1916 in the total number of animals 

 slaughtered, in the quantity of meats processed, and in the quantity of 

 meats and products certified for export. 



INSPECTION OF DOMESTIC MEATS. 



Inspection was conducted at 883 establishments in 253 cities and 

 towns as compared with 875 establishments in 2M cities and towns 

 during the preceding year. 



Inspection was begun at 84 and withdrawn from 82 establishments 

 during the year as compared with 80 and 76, respectively, during 

 1916. Inspection was withdrawn from 71 establishments on account 

 of the discontinuance of slaughtering or of interstate business, from 

 4 for failure to comply with department requirements, from 1 by re- 

 quest, and 6 establishments were transferred to market inspection. 



The ante-mortem inspections, as given in the following table, show 

 an increase in the number of cattle and calves inspected, and a 

 decrease for each of the other species, the increase in the total inspec- 

 tions being 2.4 per cent over the fiscal year 1916. 



Ante-mortem inspection of animals. 



• This term is used to designate animals found or suspected of being imflt for food on ante-mortem 

 inspection, most of which are afterward slaughtered under special supervision, the final disposal being 

 determined on post-mortem inspection. 



2 For additional condemnations see succeeding tables. 



The post-mortem inspections show an increase of 2.6 per cent over 

 the preceding year and an increase of 15 per cent over the average for 

 the preceding decade during which the new meat-inspection law has 

 been operative. While there was a decrease in the number of sheep, 

 goats, and swine slaughtered, the increase in cattle amounted to 

 nearly 2,000,000 and in calves to over half a million. 



Post-mortem inspection of animals. 



