226 
SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
was the subject of an able and interesting essay, delivered by Dr. 
McEachran, who said: 
“ The importance of this subject in a young country like Man¬ 
itoba determined me to bring it to your notice, and through you 
to the people at large. The practice of killiug cattle in all parts 
of a thickly-settled community is, I think you will all agree with 
me, from a sanitary point of view a most pernicious one. They 
are often situated in the most unhealthy and over-crowded locali¬ 
ties and kept in the filthiest condition, and they, especially in hot 
weather, pollute the atmosphere with most unsavory odors. As 
a rule, they are not only utterly unsuitable for the purpose to 
which they are devoted, but are often places where every* kind of 
fraud is perpetrated with regard to diseased or objectionable 
flesh, and where the most horrible cruelty may be inflicted on the 
creatures driven there for slaughter. 
“ In making these remarks I speak of what has been abun¬ 
dantly proven in the cities of the east and of Europe. So far as 
Winnipeg is concerned I cannot speak. These facts have led the 
authorities in the majority of cities in Europe and the eastern 
States, and I am glad to say, in one city at least of the Dominion 
(Montreal), to institute public abattoirs in suitable localities, 
where not only would the sanitary condition of the neighborhood 
be uninfluenced, but a guarantee would be afforded that the ani¬ 
mals were in a healthy state and not subjected to ill-treatment 
before being killed. 
u Thus far I am pleased to state that the corporation of the 
city of Winnipeg have lately advanced and are now building 
proper buildings for the establishment of a public abattoir, and I 
hope to hear of the establishment of similar institutions in all fast 
growing centres of population in Manitoba and the northwest. 
“ But I thiuk a step further is absolutely necessary in the in¬ 
terests of the public, and in this we are or should be all interested. 
1 refer to the inspection of cattle by a competent veterinarian, 
and 1 think it is the duty of this Association to urge upon the 
corporation the appointment of some competent veterinary sur¬ 
geon who shall act as inspector in the abattoir, and who from 
his knowledge can certify to the condition of the animals both 
