The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-06-05

minute examination or animals tagged
on the killing floors, and the micro
Inspection Before siaughter.WTnspec-:
ton before slaughter appears to have
little value in most cases. That undue
advantage of this inspection is taken
by outside parties is charged, and op-
portunities for such are abundant, but
no specific evidence was presented to us.
That this nnimportant and superficial
examination should be compulsory un-
der the present law, whereas the more
scientific examination after slaughter
is only permissive, indicates serious
oe1 fnspe &c ion After slaughter1nspeo-
ton after, slaughter appears to be care
government veterinarians maintain that
It is adequate, insisting that passing
examination of certain glands, of the
viscera, and Of the general condition Of
the carcass is sufficient to enable an
expert, engaged constantly on this work,
or of a bnormal conditions. On the
slightest indication. Of disease or alb
normal conditions the carcass is tagged
and set aside for later and more care.
full examination. There should, how
ever, be more precautions taken to In
sure that the instruments used be, kept
antiseptically clean.
Microscopic Examination.-The mi
croscopic examination Of hogs to be
exported to Germany appears to be
made with great care, and it may fair.
ly be asked why. the same inspection
is not made Of hogs. killed for the
American market. The statement that
ham, pork and sausage, that are FIRE,
SO used in America, IS not strictly true.
Large numbers Of our foreign-born pop
ulation eat ham and pork comparatively
raw, and hence need this protection;
and further, much Of this pork goes
into sausage to be eaten without being
Number of Inspectors present
number of inspectors is certainly made
quate, as the secretary Of agriculture
has often complained. We noted that
some large establishments had an OBJ
viously insufficient force. A few small
concerns have no inspectors at all, and
may sell uninspected meat wherever
they please in the United States.
- VII. Legislation.
/. Examination before slaughter is
Of minor Importance and should be per-
missive instead of mandatory. Exam
nation after slaughter is Of supreme i'm
portance and should be compulsory.
:. 2. Goats, now exempt from inspec-
ton, intended for foreign or interstate
subject to the inspection of the bureau
Of animal industry, and should be equal
| ly controlled by.the regulations of the
secretary of agriculture. ~.
8. The examination Of all meat
products intended for interstate COM
treatment should be consigned to the
bureau Of animal industry, and no mark
or sign declaring that inspection has
| been made by government officials
should be allowed on any can, box, or
other receptacle or parcel containing
food products unless the same has been
subject to government inspection at any
paration, and ali such labels should
contain the date Of issuance, and it
should be a misdemeanor to erase, alter
or destroy any such labels. Meat prod
ucts, and, canned, preserved, or picked
meats, when sent from any packing or
canning establishment, if returned to
the. same, should be subject to such
tion from other IN 4produets as the
secretary Of agriculture may prescribe.
/ 4. Power should besgiven to the Sec
/ rotary Of agriculture to make rules and
regulations regarding, the sanitation
and construction of all buildings used
or intended TO-: be used for the care
Of food products for interstate or for
eign trade, and to make such regula-
ton as he may deem necessary to other
4 wise protect the cleanliness and whole
i someness of animal products, prepared
and sold for foreign and interstate COM
i merce. IN 81 f-.s,Y4g.. b.,
! >Fifth-It should-be forbidden to any
1 person, firm, or corporation to trans.
port Of offer for transportation from one
! state to another any meat or: meat food
products not inspected and labeled.
! General Suggestions. "
First-The number of inspectors
should be largely increased, SO that spe
cial assignments may bemade for night
inspection, for the examination Of ami
mails at the platforms of stock yards
for the following of dead animals tx
their alleged destination, and for Other
special work. !
II Second Special. government inspec
prevent violations of the law and gen
eral abuses in the trade, and to secure
evidence when necessary.
Third-A careful study Of the stand
ards of inspection in other countrie
should be- made, and the results Of the
study should be published and circu
, lated for the public information r..
Fourth-Considerat should b,
given to the question Of specific label
ing Of all carcasses sold as fresh meat
; which, upon examination after slaught
:, er, show signs Of disease, but are still
deemed suitable for food.
james Bronson Reynolds,
!, | ~1oc d Nail -. =