MUNICIPAL HYGIENE 671 



' Fevered flesh ' is generally dark from defective bleeding, 

 but not always so ; it is soapy to the touch, sets badly as a 

 rule, and is quite unfit for food. 



Such a condition of flesh may be met with in any 

 inflammatory disease, and if the animal has received 

 medical treatment the drugs may be recognised by their 

 smell in the flesh ; in this way ether, turpentine, carbolic 

 acid, camphor, etc., may give a characteristic smell, 

 while severe purgation may render the muscles soft and 

 watery. 



Acute lesions may exist locally, the effect of which does 

 not extend to the other muscles of the body. For instance, 

 there may be extensive muscle injury where it is sufficient 

 to remove the discoloured portion ; or an encysted cold 

 abscess, the entire removal of which is all that is required. 

 On the other hand, extensive suppurations or gangrene 

 necessitate the seizure of the whole carcase. 



It is safe as a rule to say that acute inflammation of the 

 viscera, especially involving serous membranes, causes the 

 flesh to be unfit for food, rendering it dark, soapy, and 

 (edematous, and specially prone to putrefaction. 



Septic troubles like those associated with the parturient 

 animal, render the flesh repulsive and utterly unfit. 



Anthrax and quarter-evil flesh has been consumed 

 without harm resulting, but should invariably be seized 

 and destroyed. 



The flesh in pleuro-pneumonia and foot and mouth 

 disease has been consumed in the early stage of the 

 affection, especially the latter. 



In mammitis the entire removal of the gland and all 

 lymphatics of the region is sufficient; the flesh if other- 

 wise good may pass ; but if an animal be killed during 

 the acute stage of ordinary mammitis, it is possible the 

 meat will be unfit for consumption owing to its being 

 ' fevered.' 



In bacterial necrosis of the liver of cattle and sheep, it is 

 sufficient to seize the affected organ. The flesh is quite fit 

 for food. If in any liver disease associated with jaundice. 



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