The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-01-28
The MEAT THAT WE EAT
Soma Of Il Is Ulf. for Humln
Consumption.
OPINION OF AN EXPERT
DR.. Holloway Makes Some Impor-
tant State ments regarding the
Butchering Business of
Montana.

DR.. Herbert Holloway, state veterina-
rian, was in the city yesterday and, in
conversation with a STANDARD reporter,
called attention TO the fact that it is a
prevailing custom among butchers
throughout the state to kill for meat
many animals, whose condition when
killed renders their flesh unfit for con-
sumption. Under tho existing law, there
is no means tor tho prevention of this
practice unless the animal is really dis
eased, in which case the state veterina-
rian has jur sdicton. DIR. Holloway en-
dorsed the recommended Ton contained in
Governor Rickar.is' recent message urg-
ing the creation OF "A state board of health.
The necessity for such a hoard is appar-
cnt if only to look after tho food supply of
thu state.
"The greatest evil which exists" said
DR.. Holloway, ais tho general Gus ON
among butchers in Montana of killing for
home consumption animals that would be
condemned IA Chicago or any other stock
market where there are inspectors, and
be sent to he rendering pot. The most
common vlo alton of the laws of health
is the killing of cattle that have the big
jaw and cows that are pregnant. visit
to almost any of our leading Strengthening
houses at this season, especially, would
make n vegetarian out of anybody, for q
time at least.
Tho disease known as big Jaw is
called 10y veterinarians 'actnomycosis,'
AM is always indicated by large swell
ing on e jaw of the an imal afIl lcted. II
is caused 10y the presence of a specific
germ, viii ch usually man ifestB itself by
this swelling on the jaw. But close ex-
animation always shows that the germ
exists in 10 or 20 other parts of the ami
mails body, but not to such a marked de-
gree. The presence of the swelling on the
jaw. however, is always evidence that the
germ is in other places. In Chicago the
killing of animals that have the big jaw
for meat is absolutely prohibited. For
this reason stockmen dispose OF such
creatures to local butchers at IS and Sc a
head, but the meat is sold at the same
price as If it were first-class.
'But by far the worst practice is that of
killing old cows that are pregnant. This
custom is particularly Objectionable at
this time of year, when pregnancy is well
advanced, In this condition the system
of the COW is run down and, while there Is
perhaps no reason for calling the meat
diseased, it is certainly unit for use. The
flesh of dog might not be diseased, but
no one would willingly eat il.
~ have seen in Montana cows killed
after having aborted calves through
fright in the pens. In Chicago, the in
spectors of the Board of Animal industry
condemn all such cows, and will not allow
them to be killed for their flesh. As say,
= have seen such animals killed in Mon
tana frequently and have protested
against il but, while prominent meat
dealers agree with me that the practice
should be stopped, they all say that they
are forced to il because their competitors
do it.
"The other day prominent dealer said
to me, when | called his attention to this
matter: i wouldn't eat that stuff my
self. You couldn't hire me to- But he
sells 1t in his market and the law per-
mits it. All butchers say they are willing
to stop II if their rivals do, but the thing
will go on until there is law to prohibit
it.
"There is no reason why such law
should not be passed and board of
health created to lnforce il. Other states
have such boards and there is no reason
why Montana should be behind. All cat
tie should be inspected before and after
slaughter. This has been suggested for
several years IN the state veterinarians re-
port and would like to see it carried into
practice. The state certainly needs it,"