Morris tribune., 1889-05-08
The Meat Inspection Law.

AAS"ASet oSSASsSAJ Va VAN
of health, has issued memorandum
on the duties of local boards of health
under the law for the inspection,
within "a hours of their slaughter, of
all cattle, sheep and swine to bel
killed for human food. The follow
ing extracts therefrom will no doubt
prove of general interest:
"The sanitary intention of the law.
To prevent the slaughter of cattle,
sheep, and swine which are not
healthy and in suitable condition to
he slaughtered for human food by
an inspection of the living animal,
within twenty-four hours of Its
slaughter. The inspection is not OF
the meat, but of the animal, not
more than twenty-four hours before
it is killed.
When must the inspection be made?
within twenty-four hours before
the slaughter of the animal
Where is the inspection to be made?
Not specified, and presumably, there
fore, where the applicant asks to
have it made.
Local boards of villages and cities
would further good purpose, II they
could concentrate the butchers into
one place for killing and preparing
the meat, and thereby diminish the
trouble and expense of the inspection.
This they may do under chapter 222,
laws of 1885.
For whom is the inspection made?
Persons applying for such Inspection
Who makes this inspection? A
| person or persons appointed by the
local boards of health, of cities,
villages, boroughs and townships.
How Is he elected? By majority
vote of the boards, it Is fair to assume,
as no other method is specified in the
law.
What qualifications are necessary
for an inspector? The ability, in the
judgment of the board electing him,
to determine that any cattle, sheep
or swine, proposed to be killed for
human food, are healthy and in suit
able condition to be slaughtered for
that purpose, by an examination OF
such cattle, sheep, or swine, within
twenty-four hours of said slaughter
How many inspectors may be ap-
pointed by any board? 'One or more
as IN the judgment of the board is
| necessary for the proper execution of
| the law.
Term of service of inspectors? 'One
year or till inspectors are appointed
| and qualified
Territory of inspectors? 'Co-exten-
sive with that of the board appoint
ing Them
Must the inspector be veterinary
surgeon? The law makes no such
provision and so any one whom the
| local board of health believes COM
petent, and elects, may serve.
Should the inspector report regular
Iy to thelocal board appointing them?
AS agents of the board for a special
purpose, they should be required to
file copies of certificates, and MEM
oranda of all official acts, with the
board as it may specify in Its instruc-
tions. In no other way can the
board be aware of the working of this
department of it's work for which it is
as responsible as for any other per-
formed by deputy.
Form of certificate to be prescribed
by local boards for the use of in
spectors. The law provides that each
certificate, to be made in duplicate,
shall contain a statement to the
effect that the animal or animals in
spected, describing them as to kind
and sex, were, at the date Of such in
spection, free from all indications of
disease, apparently in good health,
and IN good condition to be slaugh-
tered for human food: beyond this
the board shall regulate the form of
certificate to be issued to such in-
spectors.'
How is the inspector to be paid?
By fees ito be paid by the persons
applying for such Inspection
Who determines the fee to be paid ?
The local board of health who shall
regulate the fees, which shall be no
greater than are actually necessary to
defray the costs of the inspection pro-
vided in section of the law
Are any local boards of health ex-
empt from the appointment OF in-
spectors, as provided in this act?
The law says, sit shall be the duty Of
the local boards of health of the sew
eral cities, villages, boroughs and
townships within this state 80
none are exempt.
Can any cattle, sheep or swine, be
slaughtered for human food in this
state without this inspection? No.
Does the law apply to individuals
wishing to slaughter their own
animals for the use Of themselves or
their families? It excerpts no one.
Has the state board of health any
discretionary power in the matter?
No.
Does the law affect previous regis-
lation for the control of infectious
diseases of animals or the sale of dis
eased meats? No. There IN no clause
repeating previous legislation, nor do
the provisions of the act conflict with
previous laws
In q note which forms q portion OF
the memorandum the secretary says:
1.-THE state board is anxious to afford |
every assistance inits power to aid in
the enforcement of the law. The
secretary is preparing, with the as