BY EUGKN HIRSCHFELD, M.D. 63 



The centres of population in Europe are some of the markets 

 we are looking forward to for the disposal of our surplus meat, 

 and here we find that legislation has been insisted upon for all 

 known infectious diseases of cattle and sheep with a view to 

 prevent their spread to human beings. Their legislation has 

 been based on the bacteriological discoveries of the last fifteen 

 years and it presses somewhat hardly on the home producer of 

 meat. Is it at all likely that these coiintries will forego the 

 labour, care, and sense of safety such inspection confers, and 

 relax it for the benefit of a foreign country from which there is 

 absolutely no kind of guarantee or indeed statement as to the 

 healthfulness of the meat sent over for sale ? 



The real question is not whether we shall have inspection, 

 but whether inspection — in common with European countries — 

 shall be placed on the firm and reliable basis of Bacteriology. 



Taking the laws in force in Great Britain, Germany, France, 

 and America as a guide, I venture to make the following 

 suggestions : — 



(1) The Minister to appoint a competent inspector for every 

 freezing and exporting meat works in the colony, who shall 

 carefully inspect all live cattle, the meat of which is intended to 

 be exported to foreign countries, with the view to ascertain if 

 such cattle are free from disease. 



(2) That such examination be made according to the rules 

 and regulations to be prescribed by the Minister. 



(3) That prior to appointment, every inspector shall under, 

 go a course of six weeks' pathological and bacteriological 

 instruction. 



(4) That all animals meant for exportation be registered 

 at the works they are slaughtered at, and that such registration 

 shows the station or farm they are fattened on ; the sex, age, 

 colour and breed ; every animal to be provided with a metal tag 

 bearing a number corresponding to the entry book, to allow 

 identification of the cattle with the carcass at the landing-place. 



(5) That the inspector shall clearly state the condition in 

 which animals are foimd, giving clearance only to such cattle as 

 are free from disease. In cases of diseased cattle, the inspector 

 to report them immediately to the chief inspector and to state 

 the disqualification. No clearance to be given to any vessel 



