The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1882-05-13
Sanitary Suggestions.

To the Honorable Mayor and Town
Council Of the City Of Greenville.
Having been appointed by you
inspector of meats and vegetables
offered for sale in the town of
Greenville, | beg to make the fol-
lowing report:
Upon investigating the subject,
f.. | discovered that the cattle in this
vicinity were, save in a few instan.
ces, unfit for food. And in order
to judge more particularly of their
fitness for market purposes, and
to save the parties engaged in the
butcher business from unneces.
sary loss. l issued a circular pro-
hibiting the sale of meat which |
had not inspected before its being
slaughtered. This order prevent
ed meat from being killed in the
country, where in many instances
the animals were confined to a
space of ground which could al
most b0 covered by their skins,
and where they were altogether
deprived of food for consider.
able length of time. The issuance
of this order also enabled me to
judge of the health of the animal
during its life. 1t has not been
my purpose to exclude all but first
class beef-that is, animals fat and
in fine order-but to prevent un-
sound or diseased cattle from be.
ing sold for food. This believe
i have accomplished.
/ would recommend that o book
be kept, and that all cattle butch.
cred be registered in such man.
ner as to enable persons to iden-
tify missing stock, should it be
killed and sold in this market. |
make this suggestion in conse-
quence of the very many COM
plants made in my hearing of
missing stock. One gentleman in
formed me that he had turned out
as many as five head, mostly calves
at weaving time, and that he never
was able to find one after turning
it out. Besides, it would enable
the inspector to recognize by the
skin and marks animals he had
permitted to be killed. | have not
required up to this time the regis
tering allude to. The principal
reason for not doing so was a want
of knowledge as to whether ! had
the legal right to enforce such
measure. / therefore ask infor.
nation upon this subject, and
should it DO legal | would also re.
quest your honorabls body to pro
vide q suitable book, as the per-
quisites of this Office will not en-.
able your inspector to buy one.
In addition to the above sugges.
ton, the construction of a city
market house would be of great
advantage. In addition to its fa'
cilitating the efforts of the inspec
tor, it would also be a source OF
revenue to the city. A law might
be enacted requiring all meats tc
be exposed for sale at the city
market house. Vegetables also
if thought necessary. This woult
create among the butchers a laud
able competition in meats, as per
sons purchasing would have al
opportunity of comparing the
meats of the different butchers
and selecting which they deemed
best, without having to run al
over town to make a selection
/ am satisfied your honorable bod,
will see at once the advantages t,
be derived from a localized marke
house.
In the matter of vegetables,
would state that our market ha
been almost without any, save po
: tatoes, and occasionally cabbag,
!. in small quantities. | have exam
ined the supply of canned goods
and find it of a good variety AM
in a good state of preservation
The competition is so great in tn
grocery business that imperfec
goods are not found profitable, t
say nothing of the conscientious
ness of the parties engaged in tha
: business.
There is matter which l deer
of such material importance, tina
though / may be passing the limi
of my official duty, l cannot hel
calling your attention to it. ! e'
pecially allude to our water suppl
for drinking and culinary purpC
. ses. Procured in the main froI
: underground cisterns, which are
save in the fewest exceptions, ne
thing more than wells, cOnstrucf
If ed in soil quite as porous as