THE LAW OF MASSACHUSETTS. 
321 
to neat cattle. They are also directed to inspect all other 
animals where they suspect that disease may exist, and also 
to inspect the stables and premises where domestic animals 
are kept. Upon their inspecting such animals, if they suspect 
any of them to be diseased, it is made their duty immediately 
to quarantine such animals by serving written notice of such 
quarantine order immediately to the Board of Health of the 
city or town. These inspectors have no power to remove 
quarantine imposed by them. In case of the inspection of 
neat cattle, sheep or swine, if they find no disease to be pres¬ 
ent, it is their duty to give the owner a certificate of such fact. 
Prior to this year, the expense of all quarantine was re¬ 
quired to be borne by the owner; but under the recent law, 
where specific animals are quarantined and the owner is for¬ 
bidden to sell the product, the State bears the actual expenses 
of the quarantine after the tenth day from the imposing of 
such quarantine. 
The proprietors of all slaughter-house establishments en¬ 
gaged in the business of slaughtering neat cattle, sheep or 
swine, are obliged to take out a license, which license permits 
them to slaughter upon particular days. It is made the duty 
of the local inspector to be present on these days, and to in¬ 
spect, at the time of slaughter, all neat cattle, sheep or swine, 
and if he finds them to be affected with a contagious disease, 
to seize and destroy them, for which the owner receives no 
compensation. Prior to this year, no such inspection was re¬ 
quired in the case of sheep and swine. 
Owners not regularly engaged in the business are allowed 
to slaughter any of their neat cattle on their own premises 
without a license; but in such case they must have an inspec¬ 
tor present to inspect the animal which is to be dealt with, the 
same as in the case of animals slaughtered at the slaughter¬ 
house. If the animal is less than six months old, or has re¬ 
ceived a certificate of health from an inspector within six 
months, such animal may be slaughtered by the owner on his 
own premises without such certificate. 
Under the law as it existed prior to the act of this year, 
the matter of the inspection of animals was left entirely with- 
