Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-07-22
sOuND MEAT AND PURE MILK.

We trust the City Council viii give heed
TO the petition OF the Richmond Academy
of Medicine with reference to the es-
Establishment here OF inspections of cattle,
meat, and milk
ANY one who notes the condition OF some
OF the cattle that are driven through our
streets must be convinced that not a
few are unfit to be killed for human con-
sumption.
II may be that these poor, half starved,
tired out, and, possibly diseased cattle
are not butchered Immediately upon
their arrival here. but are allowed TO rest
and recuperate. but the public Is entitled
20 positive assurance on this point. The
public is, moreover, entitled TO know that
the diseased cattle are separated from
the healthy cattle, and that only the
meat Of the latter is put upon our mar
kets.
Since the discussion arose here about
tuberculosis In cattle, our people have
been cycling very closely all the cattle
driven through our streets, and we ven
fure 10 say every one has been panied to
walk are taken from the railroad trains
20 the stock-yards. We are told that
It does not follow that these stiff and
staggering cattle are unhealthy; that the
reason they can walk no better is they
have been confined and cramped up in
close cars for three or four days. Doubt
less this Is true to a large extent; but
eve submit that IL healthy beef is re-
duced to this condition while in transit
70 Richmond. deplorable indeed must be
the condition Of the beeves that were
sick when they were put upon the cars.
Judging by appearances, not few cat
Gle reach here unfit for butchering, and
we know of no way by which the public
can be protected in such cases. except by
rigid inspection. And this inspection
should apply not only to cattle on the
hoof, but to dressed meats exposed for
sale In the city markets.
We know OF numbers OF butchers whom
we are quite willing 10 trust implicitly
IN this matter. but II may be that there
are others who are not so conscientious
furthermore, we are satisfied that not
all butchers appreciate the necessity for
Keeping their slaughter-houses clean and
sell ventilated.
Upon the whole. in vlndication OF good,
honest cattle-dealers and butchers, and
ana the preservation OF the public health,
we think II desirable that there should
be a rigid inspection OF cattle on the
noof and OF the dressed meats offered
Cor sale In our markets.
The same general rules ought to be
appiied to dairy products. Herds should
be inspected. After they have passed ex-
animation. the owners OF them should be
given certificates allowing them to sell
milk, etc, In Richmond. Then the milk
furnished customers should be inspected
60 SEQ that II Is not watered. or otherwise
tampered with. The stomach OF an in
FAINT can only hold a very limited guam
tity Of food or drink. and II II Is filed
with watered milk when the mother is
under the impression that 1t Is pure milk.
the child may be kept IN half starved
condition all the time.
1t II true, and will no doubt be argued.
that one or two inspectors cannot in
spect all Of the milk sold In Richmond.
But II is also true that very few dealers
will take the chance Of being one of those
whom the inspector may pounce down
upon and expose at any moment.
BY the way. II this inspectorship Is
created. It should be the duty OF the in
"a
eAssA o. anywhere, and at any and all