INSPECTION OF MEAT AND MILK. 
119 
We have not equally satisfactory proof as to the convey¬ 
ance of tuberculosis by the flesh of tuberculous cattle. On 
the one hand, as regards the flesh, there are only a few pos¬ 
itive experimental results against a large number of negative 
ones, and even in the positive cases there is not sufficient evi¬ 
dence that the possibility of accidental contamination of the 
flesh has been avoided, and on the other hand, we know that 
muscular tissue is not a favorable soil for the development of 
tubercle bacilli. The question as to the use of meat from cat¬ 
tle affected with localized tuberculosis is one of great econo¬ 
mic importance. The positive statements of veterinary and 
tuberculosis congresses as to the rejection of the flesh of tu¬ 
berculous cattle and the views expressed in popular and alar¬ 
mist articles on this point are not at present warranted by our 
knowledge of the facts. Nevertheless, we have a right to con¬ 
sider the possibility of accidental contamination of the meat 
in the process of slaughtering tuberculous animals, and also 
the natural repugnance against the consumption of the flesh 
of diseased animals. It is better to wait for further investi¬ 
gation before taking a decided position on this question. 
This does not, however, lessen the importance of proper sani¬ 
tary inspection of slaughtered animals, for there are many 
diseases besides tuberculosis that can be conveyed by the use 
of diseased meat. 
There should be no differences of opinion as to the desir¬ 
ability of the measures of inspection of food advocated by Dr. 
Clement. Public health demands that such sanitary inspection 
be adopted. It is clear that no efficient inspection of the meat 
supply can be secured until the law forbids the slaughtering 
of cattle, swine and sheep in a multitude of private establish¬ 
ments. It is absolutely essential that the reform should begin 
with the establishment of one or two abattoirs where alone it 
is permitted to slaughter the animals named. This measure, 
like many others for the public good, is inimical to certain 
private interests, and here lies the only opposition to it. As 
soon as the public is sufficiently informed as to the good 
which will be accomplished by the sanitary inspection of the 
meat supply, it is certain that these private interests will not 
