No. 4.] REPORT OF CATTLE BUREAU. 225 



inspection at the large abattoirs where animals are killed and 

 meat is prepared for export and interstate commerce gives 

 the people of Massachusetts a certain amount of protection, 

 as most of the meat consumed here either comes from the 

 west or from animals killed at these establishments, yet it 

 remains a disgrace to this Commonwealth that Massachusetts 

 does not give her citizens as good an inspection and the same 

 [)rotection from the evils of diseased cattle, iunnature calves 

 and tuberculous swine killed at the little slaughterhouses 

 around the State, as is afforded them ])y the United States 

 government at the large })acking houses and abattoirs where 

 an export and interstate business is conducted. These con- 

 ditions are unworthy of a civilized Commonwealth, and call 

 for investigation and legislation to remedy these evils. 



Prior to 1899 the law under Avhich the Board of Cattle 

 Commissioners operated called for the annual appointment 

 in cities and towns of " inspectors of animals and provisions " 

 under the control of the Board ; but when it was recodified 

 in 1899 it was changed to provide only for the appointment 

 of " inspectors of animals" Avdiose duties are confined entu'ely 

 to the Avork of eradication and control of contagious diseases 

 among live animals, and the inspection of animals slaughtered 

 for food and of meats was placed entirely in the hands of the 

 local boards of health. In many instances it would seem 

 that there is need of some legislation that will give a suitable 

 inspection law to the State, and provide for its enforcement 

 by some competent central authority ; although there is not 

 any desire on the part of the Chief of the Cattle Bureau to 

 have these powers, as the suppression and eradication of 

 contagious animal diseases seems to ])e primarily the object 

 for w^hich the Bureau was created. 



The law also provides that the Chief of the Cattle Bureau 

 may issue rules and regulations for the inspection of meat, 

 Avhich shall conform to the regulations of the United States 

 Bureau of Animal Industry for the inspection of meat for 

 export and interstate commerce, subject to the approval of 

 the Governor and Council. 



Rules and regulations in accordance with this provision 

 of the law Avere approved in Council May 21, 1902, and have 



