Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-22
A PLACE TO KILL.
The General Advantages TO be Derived
from an AbattOir-Dr. Thornton.s
Views on the Subject.
No Guarding at Present Against Diseased
Cattle-A New Way to Diminish
Cattle Stealing.

Thornton, president of the Board OF Heslih,
recommended the establishment of an Gbattoir
| at come suitable point below the city, at
which the slaughisrine OF all live stock
could be done. About the time he submit
ted the report, s committee from the Council
was appointed to investigate the mstter. It
y well known that nothing has yet been
done. President Hadden at the lest meeting
of the Council called attention TO the omis-
zion, and the APPEAL desires 10 second the
motion. The following is the paragraph re-
ferriDg to this subject in DIR. Thornton's last
report:
DIR. THoRNToN's VIEWS.
ain my first annual report the establish
ment of an obdttoir at some suitable point
below the city, st which the slaughtering OF
all live stock could he done, with the stock
yards adjacent, wss recommended Tor eonsid-
Grafton. The same reasons exist now as then
for practical action on this important sub
ject, and the longer action Is delayed the
greater will be the necessity for it by reason
OF the growth OF the city in population, an
increased value of real estate, and as con-
sequence the increased obstacles in the way
of It's communication. The committee APP
pointed TO confer with those interested
in the slaughtering of live stock,
and in stockyards, arrived at no
definite conclusion, and the subject
is an impeftan, one for several considera-
llO1s hui 1lOrC cuSdSc0 III
the business, but az public health measure
and to those not directly interested in The
business, but residing slaughter
houses, it should receive your early
consideration. The advantages arts
ing from the Gbdttoir system over the present
arrangement of individual slsughterhouses
has been demonstrated too positively in
other cities 10 require extended comment
here. As some of these advantages have
been indicated and argument in lis favor
made in my first annual report which
seemed TO meet with favorable reception by
most, if not all, directly interested, will
not repeat them here, but refer you TO that
report, and urge upon you early action on
subject which gives rise to trouble every
summer, and at no distant day must be
definitely disposed of. During the past year
one slaughterhouse east of the city, a short
distance beyond its limits, was discontinued,
it being complained of and adjudged
nuisance to the neighborhood."
AN ABArToIR NEEDED.
| The public generally would like to have q
report upon this matter from the committee.
The sanitary importance of an obdttoir is
acknow lodged by all. The custom of allow
ing slaughlerhouses in the city will grow,
and though they may not at first have any
objectionable odors, eventually they will not
smell sweet az tuberose. 1t is possible
that an occasional house may be kept so
clean thai 1t will not smell, but there is no
gainsaying the fact that the great majority
of such places do smell and that most power
fully. The people feel interested enough in
this quest ion TO want TO know whether DR.. /
Thofnion's suggestion is good one; and If
not, why not? Memphis is growing rapidly.
1t will not be long before she will want more
slaug hterhouse facilities. 1t is claimed by
the advocates of the slsughterhouses that
THEY ARE HEALTHY,
and that consumptives have been sent TO
them to regain their health. The estab
lished theory OF consumption-that it is a
disease caused by the multiplication of
minute parasites-is totally Inconsistent with
with any such nonsense as this. The smell
OF a slaughterhouse cannot be conceived az
having any power to retsrd the growth of
these little parasites, or TO kill them off. In
deed, il would seem but reasonable that it
would give the little animals renewed fscili-
ties for increase. Any addition of flesh or
strength from such influences is certainly de-
lusive People who live in the peighbor-
hood of slaughterhouses have an unnatural
look; but even where they are strong and
healthy, it is not necessarily due TO their sur
roundings.
DISEASED CATTLE.
Another mighty reason for establishing an
abdftoir is 10 be found in the fact that cattle |
are frequently diseased, and at present there
Is no way TO feaslbly inspect them. An IN
spector could very readily guard against this
if there were an dbdttoiH. Yesterday after
noon an APPEAL reporter saw about 200 |
sheep being driven through the street, and was
informed they had been stolen in the country |
and brought 10 town. This fact suggests !
that the a6attoir would prevent a good deal |
of stealing that is now possible. The cattle |
.aken then would all be marked and stealing |
would diminish. DR.. Thornton has presented |
in his first annual report number of strong |
reasons for the establishment of an ubdttotr, |
and the APPEAL, as well as the people al |
large, would like to see his suggestions car
ried out.