Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-08-11
DISEASED MEAT.

The excitement whieh has prevailed for some
time m the West in regard to the so-eaIled
Cattle Plague has reached the Eastern cities.
and the authorities of the different cities are
taking stringent precautionary measures. In
New York. the Board Of Health have caused
all the infected cattle, or those exposed 10 the
disease, arriving there, 10 be killed, and a num-
Der OF additional inspectors appointed to pre-
vent the sale of diseased meats. Guards are
also to be stationed at all the railroad lines to
prevent the shipment OF diseased cattle to that
market, and every cattle train is to be accom-
panied by a competent medical officer, SO that
NJ the disease breaks out on a tram il may be
stopped, the cattle penned, and, if necessary,
shot, to prevent the spread of the disease Tel
egrams We're also sent to Governors Fenton,
Ward, Of New Jersey, and Geary, of Penn
sylysnIa, soliciting their cooperation in stop
ping the plague, which has been promised.
We do not hear of the arrival of any diseased
cattle for our market; and the beef exposed on
our stalls though sometimes rather tough,
IN the opinion OF Senator Edmunds, is we be-
heye as healthy as usual. Yet, as the panic
IN regard to diseased meats, may extend here,
would IL not be well for our Board Health to
take some supervisory action. such as is being
exercised by similar authorities elsewherel Ii
the public knew that due vigilance was being
exercised 10 prevent the introduction of any
diseased meats into our markets, they would
purchase with confidence: and both the butch.
ers and their customers would benefit by the
inspection.
The question has not been settled whether
the disease has been brought from Texas or
whether II is caused by oyer-cro wding and un-
suitable food. Ii is an affection of the urinary
organs, accompanied with all the symptoms of
Inflammation of the bladder. The blood is
~odtf iod a
rs not affected in way to MAKE 1t seriously
dangerous as a food, though persons eating it
are attacked with nausea. retching. and intense
pain.
The diseased cattle can easily be distin-
guished, as they appear TO be shriyelled up,
With their backbone elevated six OF eight
inches above lis natural level The eyes have
dull. watery look, with an expression OF pain
IN them Their respiration is spasmodic as if
1t caused much suffering
While the nature of the disease Is not caIcu
lated 10 excite serions alarm. it brings up the
necessity for a more rigid inspection of the
meat exposed in our markets.
In most of the principal cities OF Europe
skilled inspectors are employed at the ex pense
OF the municipal governments An inspection
Of live cattle is made for the purpose of sepa-
rating the diseased from the healthy; and an
other after death for the purpose of detecting
such parasitic diseases or other unsoundness
As msy have been overlooked or could not be
determined during life.
IL Is asserted by the best scientific authority
that one-fifth of the common meat of Great
Rrtain-beeE. veal, mutton, and lambs dis.
eased; while Professor Gerlach states that in
Berlin a. least as much diseased as healthy
meat is consumed. 1t is estimated that fully as
large an amount OF diseased meat, in proper
ton to population, is sold in the markets of
American cities.
The results of the care bestowed upon the
selection of cattle for food by the Hebrews are
worthy OF note. Under the LevItIcal law
the consumption of unsOund or diseased meat
rs totally interdIcted, and directions are given
for the selection of suitable animals for food
Notwithstanding the great care exercised in the
selection of cattle, and the skill acquired by
long experience, AZ least ten per cent of all the
ANIMALS slaughtered by the Hebrews are
deemed unfit tor their use. This is the result
of the post-mortem inspection, the stock having
been previously carefully selected. The pro-
portion that is thrown aside as unfit for their
use suggests that a much larger proportion OF
diseased and unsound meat may be eaten by
those classes who are not specially protected
from impure food by their rules of faith.