ANIMAL PRODUCTS 



273 



Pork for export trade, but not that for 

 interstate trade, formerly was subjected 

 to a microscopic examination for tri- 

 china. Pork found to contain living 

 trichinae was condemned absolutely, or 

 rendered into lard at a temperature 01 

 not less than 220° F., or thoroughly 

 boiled and used for food. Germany no 

 longer accepts our inspection certificate 

 for freedom from trichina?, and no other 

 foreign country requires it. It has, 

 therefore, been abandoned. 



The inspection work of the bureau of 

 animal industry wa s begun in 1891 and 

 has steadily grown until inspection is 

 now carried on in establishments in 

 nearly all cities, by a force of more 

 than 4000 inspectors, microscopists, and 

 taggers. As shown by Mohler and others, 

 the work is carefully done and is effec- 

 tive in safeguarding the health of the 

 meat consumer and the interest of stock 

 raisers, by excluding harmful meat from 

 the markets, utilizing all that can be 

 safely utilized, and preventing the 

 spread of infectious diseases in stock 

 yards. 



The criticism of our federal inspec- 

 tion by foreigners is partly due to politi- 

 cal considerations and partly to an in- 

 ability to understand how our inspectors 

 can inspect so many animals in the time 

 at their disposal. This is made possible 

 by the systematic organization of the 

 work, so that maximum results ai - e ob- 

 tained by a minimum time expenditure 

 by the inspector. The greatest foreign 

 authority on meat inspection on a recent 

 visit to this country stated that our 

 system of inspection could not have been 

 made better in the time since its organ- 

 ization. 



According to the new meat inspection 

 law of June 30, 190G, the bureau of ani- 

 mal industry has more power than here- 

 tofore to compel the observance of its 

 rules and regulations. The veterinary 

 inspecting force will be increased by 

 about 150 men, and 400 additional men 

 will lie occupied entirely with the in- 

 spection of cured and canned meat 

 products. The bureau is now in a bet- 

 ter position than ever before to safe- 

 guard the meat consumer. 



State and municipal inspection — So 

 much for federal meat inspection. It 

 should be remembered, however, that we 

 have no compulsory federal inspection 

 except for meat in interstate and foreign 

 commerce. The proprietors of abattoirs 

 do not have to subject other meat to in- 



spection. If they ask for inspection by 

 the federal authorities they must agree 

 to abide by the rules laid down by the bu- 

 reau of animal industry. Moreover, the 

 abattoirs under inspection furnish 95 

 per cent of the meat consumed in all 

 large cities. But the meat consumer may 

 ask concerning non-inspected meat. As 

 stated by Mohler, ''the necessity for state 

 and municipal inspection may be appre- 

 ciated when it is understood that the 

 government has no power to inspect 

 meats that do not leave the confines of 

 the state." 



Moreover, as above indicated, the 

 most careful and conscientious inspec- 

 tion may not protect the consumer, for 

 after inspection, meat may become con- 

 taminated by careless handling, and 

 may undergo various harmful or danger- 

 ous alterations before it reaches the con- 

 sumer. State and municipal inspection 

 is therefore necessary to take cognizance 

 of all such conditions. Meat may ac- 

 quire harmful properties after passing 

 beyond the jurisdiction of the federal in- 

 spector. What we most need in this re- 

 spect is an efficient system of market 

 inspection which will insure the sanitary 

 handling of meat by local dealers and 

 will prevent the sale of decomposed or 

 otherwise dangerous meat to unsuspect- 

 ing customers. 



Another source of danger to the meat 

 consumer lies in the unspeakably filthy 

 slaughtehouses often seen in country 

 districts and on the outskirts of cities. 

 In these establishments diseased animals 

 may be slaughtered, because no inspec- 

 tion is requii*ed. Moreover, hogs run in 

 the surrounding yards, feeding on the 

 offal of slaughtered animals and thereby 

 becoming tuberculous or infested with 

 trichina and other parasites. Such 

 slaughter houses serve as hotbeds for the 

 propagation of all kinds of animal dis- 

 eases. Many cities and states have 

 adopted inspection laws and the propa- 

 ganda is rapidly spreading; for example, 

 in Colorado, Indiana, Minnesota, Mon- 

 tana, Pennsylvania, etc, and in Boston, 

 Detroit, Montgomery, New Orleans, 

 Washington, etc. The inspection law 

 recently passed in Montana requires in- 

 spection of meat and milk in all cities of 

 more than 5,000 inhabitants. The in- 

 spection must be done by a competent 

 sanitary officer. 



An efficient system of meat inspection 

 is of distinct advantage to the stock 

 raiser. It brings about the utilization^ 



