60 PROCEEDINGS OF THE CANADIAN INSTITUTE. 



calico printing. In Edinburgh, the blood which, was at one time- 

 wasted is now sold and brings from £800 to £1,200 sterling per 

 annum. 



One of the first requisites for a place intended for the slaughtering; 

 of cattle is absolute cleanliness, it becomes an essential to have all 

 appliances connected with abattoirs of the cleanest and most simple 

 and easily-cleaned nature. Vermin must also be excluded from, 

 them. Tn Edinburgh the houses are built of dressed stone, the floors 

 are laid on a layer of Portland cement concrete, twelve inches deep, 

 the surface being paved with large close jointed flagstones ; the road- 

 ways between the buildings are also laid on cement concrete, the 

 stone blocks being laid in close sets well jointed. All abattoirs are 

 at all times open to the inspection of city health officers, and are 

 supplied with plenty of water for flushing purposes. One of the 

 best substances for abattoir floors is cement concrete, which can be 

 prepared to any degree of surface roughness, to prevent slipping ; 

 being homogeneous and of almost indestructible consistence, it will 

 stand any amount of wear and tear, and it is very easily washed and 

 kept clean. 



Few of our Canadian cities are well placed regarding abattoir 

 arrangements, there are too many abattoirs mixed up among dwelling- 

 houses, and health-inspectors have not yet the compulsory powers 

 they must have before they can abate these nuisances. The author 

 has learned, with much surprise, that offal is still fed to hogs at 

 many abattoirs, and that there is a decided demand and pi'eference 

 for pork so fed. This reprehensible and dangerous custom cannot be 

 too strongly censured. 



The systems adopted in England for slaughtering and handling the 

 carcases, are shewn by the drawings on the wall, and are an enlarge- 

 ment of the arrangements now in use at several pork packing and 

 other factories ; this system saves all handling of the meat and pre- 

 serves it better than in those cases where it has to be carried on men's, 

 shoulders to carts, and upon carts to the butcher stalls.* 



It is to be hoped that in any new abattoirs to be built in any of our 

 cities, care will be taken to arrange everything with a view to absolute 

 cleanliness, and that a plentiful supply of water will be laid on. 

 Proper buildings can easily be erected lor the destruction of all waste 



* The abattoir machinery referred to is known as Meiklejon's Patent Abattoir Machinery and 

 Fittings. Further information on this matter can be obtained from the author. 



