Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1871-11-27
LOCAL NEWS

DIS 6UsTfNG PRACTICE WHICH SHOULD DE |

DIsGUsTtEG PRACTICE WHICH SHOULD DE
STOPPED AT ONCE.
IL was stated some days ago in The STAR that
Sanitary INSPECTOR General CatehelI had caused
warrants to be issued against some twenty-five
butchers doing business in the Center msrket,
on the charge Of selling blown, uns9und and
unwholesome meat They appeared before the
Police Court on Saturday to answer the charge,
and this Is an interesting subject TO all who
eat sheep meat" OF veal, II may be well to
describe the different modes OF blowing meat,
and the effects IL Is said to produce A. set
torth IN the testimony elected during the exam
nation When the animal Is killed. and while
the body IS yet warm, steel Is inserted between
the shoulder and rib, which penetrates int the
cavity OF the stomach, and the legs are all
pressed Outwards, cOllapsing the carcass as
much as possible; the steel Is then withdrawn
and the legs are loosed az the same moment
when they resume their nstaral position. The
AR Is drawn ia at the aperture made by the
steel IN tbs manner, and AL the cavities OF the
body are nlled. So far, this process is thou yht
not To be Injurious to the meat; but when the
animal KILLED is in a lean condition, it Is
said that by inserting a quill OF metallic
tube in the incislOn made by the steel
and blowing the breath through into the
cavities, 1t gives the meat a plump
appearance which is calculated TO deceive the
purchaser. The medical faculty assert that
while the carcass OF sheep or cali thus slanght-
cred and nled with air, Is warm, the air is taken
up by the tissues and communicated to all parts
Of the animal, and that In the butcher or ''blOv-
SI' IS an unhealthy man or diseased, that his
breath confaminates the meat and renders il
diseased and unhealthy. Whether he is a healthy
blower or not, the practice is a disgusting one,
and shonld be stopped. This practice is said 10
have prevailed rot long ago among poultry deal
eTS, 20 give turkeys plump appearance, and the
stories told about II nearly finished up the poul-
try business for long time. This meat blowing
y likely 70 prove as disastrous TO the butchers,
trade As that did TO the hucksters.
The wapants in the several cases were all
only served and return made 10 the Police Court
On Saturday last, as above stated. At O'Clock
T. m the accused parties all appeared. Their
names are a follows: John Ferguson, Louis
nnIn DaI.. - ~ssl.
Weyrick- James Green, G.. X. Kaufman, w. T..
PoOre, George Cooper, ). ;. COygsn, John
Eggleston, j. J. Ligdtfoot, G. W. Yesbower, ID.
Bros, Theodore Burns, Henry Stevens A. p
HOmiller, Z. e Shoemaker, j. n. Click W. F.
ksngla, A. p; Emrich, and Jacob Apprich
They were arraigned separately, the clerk read
ing each charge TO the accused, and each one
pleading for himself. Most Of them pleaded
guilty to that part Of the charge referriog to
ssSn meat, but denied that it was unsogRd or
unVkOlesOme.
NJ. Hine, counsel for the defence, demurred
warrants, and made notof that All be Suasb t1
The Judge oyerruled the motion, and the case
OF J0f Ferguson was called first.
DIT; Munder, a meat inspector under Nr
Gatchell, testified To going the rounds OF the
Center Market on the 1sth instant, in company
with n. Gatchell and Inspector franklin 10
examine the quality of the meats exposed for
sale. Found half a carcass of sheep which had
been blown at Ferguson's stall. Witness then
went on 70 describe the several tsOdes OF blowing
Ataer pffllllOils injurious 10 the
meat and calculated To deceive the ignorant
This meat could be distinguished from Others by
Its appearance. and any practical butcher knows
~ whenever he sees II. Witness is a practical
butcher himself. The object OF the blowing is to
make poor meat look fat and plump, but it will
Collapse when cut.
Mr.. Gatchell testified that he had visited the
Center Market on this duty IN obedience to
orGers from the Board of Health. The gentle
men accused are all strangers to witness. Wit
nesseOuld not say Of bis own knowledge whether
or no. blown meat was Inv hDlesome.
Mr.. VIM. H. FaulkReS, a meat inspector, testi-
bed that he was shirt-Eaaker by profession but
had been appointed inspector of meats; had
given the meat business his attention, and quail
bed himself 70 fully discharge the duties of his
once; could tell blown meat whenever he sawit
The testimony closed here. and Mr.. Hine
Claimed thai there was no case proven; that the
butchers have resorted to this practice OF blow
ing AR between the skin and carcass la order to
oetach the skin more easily, and without any
injury TO the meat; that the term blown meat
IN the law refers to fiy-blOwn meat which Is
bnsOHnd and unwh0escme, and finally the
charge was too frivolous 20 take up the time OF the
court a moment.
Mr.. Miller, counsel for the District replied
saying he had plenty of testimony yes TO intro
auee which would show the deleterious effects OF
this digusting practice.
The court reserved his decision until all the
Gases are heard.