THE HOKSE. 157 



" In Berlin, during the years lS77-'78, 4,739 horses were slaugh- 

 tered for human food. Of these, 74 were condemned as unsuitable 

 before slaughtering, and 89 after ; of the latter, 20 were found in- 

 fected with glanders. . . . 



" In 1877 at Altona 1,442 horses were slaughtered, of which ten 

 were given over to the knacker ; of these, three were condemned on 

 account of glanders, three suffered from pulmonary gangrene, and 

 four from entero-peritonitis. The greatest number of horses are 

 slaughtered in the winter months, their flesh being made into sau- 

 sages." * 



The central horse - slaughtering establishment of Berlin is a 

 completely inclosed locality covering about an acre of ground, upon 

 which is situated a two-storied building answering for the residence 

 of the inspectors, and a bureau for the police officials; further, 

 two stables for the horses destined to be slaughtered, and two large 

 slaughtering-places with all necessary conveniences ; and two smaller 

 rooms, one for the hides of the slaughtered animals, and the other, 

 to which only officials have entrance, for the reception of slaugh- 

 tered but condemned meat, i. e., such as was proved to be unsuita- 

 ble for consumption after the animal had been killed and dressed, 

 but not such as came from animals having a contagious or infectious 

 disease ; further, for the examination of animals, a room having 

 almost entirely glass sides, so as to give the greatest possible 

 amount of light to the inspectors. 



For such horses as on inspection demand the attention of the 

 veterinary police, there is a special quarantine station, which is 

 completely disinfected and cleansed every time it is used. The 

 greatest cleanliness is observed in all parts of this establishment, 

 special places being designated for the blood and other offal, and 

 after each day's slaughtering each part is cleansed and disinfected 

 under the supervision of the inspectors. 



The following plan is carried out in the inspection of the ani- 

 mals : 



Each morning, from nine to ten, the horses to be slaughtered 

 are mustered for inspection, their breed and nationality, and all 

 other results of an external examination, entered in the appropriate 

 book. To this end notice is first taken of the external appearance 

 of the animal, and then its temperature is carefully noted, to ascer- 

 tain that the animal is absolutely without fever. On completion of 

 this examination, the character of the respiratory phenomena, the 

 visible mucosae, the lymphatics and glands, the cough, etc. ; only 



* " Mittheil. aus der Praxis, 1877-'78," p. 97. 



