INTEODUCTORY AND GENERAL. 37 



iected from the consequences of. eating it partly by habit, 

 partly by the culinary art, and in part by a species of 

 ■dietetic disinfection almost unconsciously practised by 

 persons of epicurean tastes. But these cases notwith- 

 standing, there is no doubt that the general statement 

 just made is true. 



It follows, then, from the foregoing that the fresh and 

 unchanged meat of animals slaughtered during an attack 

 of pleuro-pneumonia may be safely consumed ; and that 

 such meat is not sensibly less in nutritive value than 

 that of other animals unaffected by any disease, but that 

 it is of lower quality, owing to its greater tendency to 

 Tindergo change. 



I may here publish an anecdote which is given in an 

 Australian paper, the Qeelong Advertiser : — 



" Mr. , we shall call him Mr. Vellum, of Melbourne, 



is blessed with the friendship of Mr. • , we shall call 



him Mr. Stockwhip — whose cattle-station is not a hun- 

 dred miles from Echuca. Stockwhip is in the habit of 

 sending down tongues, potted butter, rolled beef, and 

 fifty other little up-country niceties to his town friend 

 ■as presents. On Tuesday last arrived at Vellum's oflSice 

 a good-sized keg, the address card in the usual well- 

 known handwriting. It was late in the afternoon, just 

 •about time to start for Paradise Villa, South Yarra ; the 

 gift was safely stored in the buggy, and off Vellum 

 ■started with the treasure ; while tea was getting ready 

 the keg must be opened. ' How heavy it is,' says one. 

 ' What on earth can he have sent this time,' says another. 

 Speculation was not allayed when the lid was prized 

 •open, and only dry salt presented to view. ' Dive deeper,' 

 was the order of Paterfamilias, ' there must be something 

 else in it.' The salt was carefully removed, and with 

 ■considerable difficulty something bulky was dragged 

 ■,out, of indefinite shape and texture. 'Perhaps it's a 

 Murray cod,' said one of the juveniles. ' Seems to be 

 some preparation of pork,' remarked Vellum ; ' however, 

 let's have some fried for tea, and see how it eats.' Fried 

 a slice or two of it ; everybody tasted, but nobody liked 



