The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-01-04
THE ABATrOIR AGITATION.
Previous Action on a Subject Which is
Now Causing Considerable
Controversy.

communication from the board OF health
of this city was received by the city coun>
ell as a report of committee appointed
by it to investigate the matter described
therein:
Rock ISLAND, Ill.,, Nov LIST, 1880.
To the Hon. the Mayor aud City Council of the
City of Rock Island,
GENTLEMEN:-Theb board of health of
this city respectfully beg leave to make
to your honorable body the following re,
port in regard to the condition of the
slaughter houses in this locality:
In consequence of repeated complaints
Doctors Barlh, Carter and Craig made
tour of inspection, and at a meeting held
July 9th, reported that the slaughter
houses were in disgustingly filthy con-
ditioD; that 1t was the custom to feed
hogs the blood enirails ard all other Of
fal in all stages of decomposition, "a liv>
ing mass of maggots and it had been re,
ported to them that diseased cattle were
sometimes killed aud the meat sold for
food.
In view of such state of facts, we
therefore recommend as the best way to
correct this evil, that the city establish
an abattoir and require by ordinance that
no meat be exposed for sale within the
city limits, except the meat of animals
inspected by person appointed for that
purpose. and killed in the city abattoir.
This, however, should not apply to poul>
try or wild game.
To further urge upon you the impor>
lance of this movement we append the
following preamble and resolutions,
which speak for themselves:
WHEREAS. Investigation of the
slaughter houses of the city by the board
Of health has disco sed the fact that prop
or cleanliness is not maintained in them
in fact some, if not all Of them, are in
such filthy condition from the presence.
in and about them of decomposing offal.
entrails and blood of cattle slaughtered,
as to so vitiate the air that the meat pre-
pared for sale must be more or less con-
taminated by it; and
WHEREAS, 1t has been shown aud adj
mitted by many butchers that hogs are
kept at the slaughter houses and fattened
on the offal, CUTS and blood OF butchered
cattle, in all stages Of decomposition, the
putrid mass generally alive with maggots;
that hogs so fattened are bu.chered, ex-
posed for sale and sold as meat in the
city meat markets; and,
WHEREAS, There are reasonable
grounds for suspicion that diseased cat
tie and unborn calves have been butch
cred and sold as eatable meats; there
fore,
Resoyped, By us, the undersigned ply =
sicians, residing in the city of Rock Isl,
and, that meat exposed to air rendered
poisonous by the septic carnations from
the decomposing offal of slaughtered cat
tie is highly detrimental to the health of
those who eat it. That the meat of hogs
| fattened on any animal matter, and es-
pecially that in state of decomposition.
is unfit for human consumption, and
where used will surely breed disease.
That the meat from diseased cattle and
immature calves is inedlble. and its ex'
posture for sale crime against the health
of the community.
Resolged, That the efforts OF the board
of health to promote II reform IL the
slaughtering of cattle in the city and to
prevent the sale OF meat unfit for use are
endorsed BY the medical profession If the
city, and should be sustained by all per
sons who wish to promote the health and
best interest of the community.
Resolred, That it is highly important
| 81. Of tho f,it tbat the 4
council should provide a public abattoir,
or such other means IS may seem best, To
prevent a continuance OF such practices
| in the slaughter houses as have been
made manifest by the Investigations OF
the board Of health.
Carl Bernhard, NJ. D. c. TrGesdals NJ D.
| Geo l.. Eyster. NJ. d. J. Mckee. NJ. d.
| Thos Gait NJ d. j. ". Cowden, NJ. D
S. q Plummer. NJ. D. F r. Webb, NJ. D.
| P Gregg, NJ. ID
As to the location, several sites have
been mentioned One. known as the
Dingledine place, consists of twenty-five
acres on Rock river, which is offered fo
81. 200. The objections to it are that it il
outside of the one mile limit, and there
fore out of the city's control. 1t Is re-
ported that the water supply fails in dry
weather, and there would be no marke
for otfal except by teams.
| Another location is in the lower part o
the city near Gilmore's slaughter house
The objections to this location are that i
is,below high water mark and rather clos'
to the city. although if properly conduct
ed, it would be no nuisance, and 1t woult
have the advantage of the waterwork
and good market for offal.
The only other location suitable is nea
the old distillery upon piece of grounC
owned by Mrs. May E. Cary, which con
slsts of 4 and 22>100 acres, and Mr.
Joseph Bracket her agent, says it can b
bought for $500. The objections We flint
to this location are its close proximity Il
the bone factory. tine atmosphere being a
times tainted with decomposing matter
and the bad road through the lumbe
yard.
The first objection could be obviated b,
prompt disposal Of the dead animal ma t
ter, or if necessary by improved method
of constructing the business. The secon
BY either widening a street through tn
lumber yard, or opening a new on
around it, The advantages are that par
Of this location Is above high water mark
it is out OF the way, abundant water sup
ply, and good market for offal.
We would further say that as we hav
, no power delegated to us to build
slaughter house, we would respectfully urg
upon your honorable body that immedi
ate steps be taken by you to carry out til
suggestions contained in the above repor
GEO. Z. BARTH, M. D.,
CHAs c. CARTER, M. D..
! G. G.. CRAIG, M. D.,
Pull MILLER, Marshal,
RoBT. KoEHLER, Clerk.
At this time the council felt so favora
, bly, disposed toward the PROJECT, as di