The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1906-06-16

pardonable. and which are constant
menace not only to their own health.
but 20 the health Of those who use tho
food products prepared by them.
Government Inspection.
We observed carefully the inspection
before slaughter. the inspection after
slaughter on the killing beds, the more
minute examination OF animals tagged
or the killing floors. and the micro
scopic examination for trichinosis.
Inspection Before Slaughter. - IN
spection before slaughter appears to
have little value IN most cases. That
undue advantage OF this inspection Is
taken by outside parties Is charged.
and opportunities Tor such are album
dant, but no specific evidence was pre-
scented 10 us. That this uninportant
and superficial examination should be
compulsory under the present law.
whereas the more scientific examine
ton after slaughter is only permis-
sive, indicates serious defec. in the
law.
Inspection After Slaughter -Inspec-
ton after slaughter appears TO be care
frlly and conscientlously made. Tho
government veterinarians maintain
that IL Is adequate, insisting that a
passing examination OF certain glands.
OF the viscera, and OF the general con-
ditlon OF the carcass is sufficient 20
enable an expert, engaged constantly
ON this work. To detect at once the
presence of disease, or OF abnormal
conditions. On the slightest indica-
ton OF disease or abnormal conditions
the carcass is tagged and set aside for
later and more careful examination.
There should. however, be more pre-
cautions taken TO insure that the in
strlments used must be kept antisep.
ticaly clean.
Microscopic ExamInatlon.--rhe MI
croscopic examination OF hogs 10 be
exported 10 Germany appears 10 be
made with great care, and 1t may fair
~ be asked why the same inspection
Is not made OF hogs Killed tor the
American market The statement that
ham, pork and sausage that are ire
queLtly eaten raw In Germany. are
net SO used in America. is not strictly
true Large numbers OF our foreign
torn population eat ham and pork
comparatively raw, and hence need the
protection; and, further. much of this
pork goes into sausage TO De eaten
without being cooked.
Number OF lnspectors.--The present
number OF inspectors is certainly mad
cquate. as the secretary OF agriculture
has often complained. We noted that
some large establishments had an OBJ
yiously insufficient force. A few small
concerns have no inspectors ut all. and
Ray sell uninspected meat wherever
they please in the United States.
Legislation.
/. Examination before slaughter is
of minor importance and should DO
permissive instead OF mandatory. Ex-
animation after slaughter is OF SUI
preme Importance and should be com.
pulsory.
2. Goats, now exempt from inspec.
ton, intended for foreign or inter-
state commerce, should be included
in the list subject TO tho inspection
OF the bureau of animal Industry, and
should be equally controlled by the
regulations OF the secretary of agri-
culture.
3. The examination OF all meat
products intended for interstate com.
merce at any stage OF their care or
treatment should be consigned 20 the
bureau OF animal industry, and no
mark or sign declaring that inspec.
ton has been made by government
officials should be allowed ON any can,
box, or other receptacle or parcel con.
tanning food products unless the same
has been subject to government in.
spection at any and every stage of tho
process of preparation, and all sucn
labels should contain the date OF is.
suance, and II should be misde.
meanor TO erase, alter or destroy any
such labels. Meat products, and
canned preserved. or picked meats,
when sent from any packing or can.
ming establishment. IL returned to the
same. should be subject To such fur.
Their inspection, regulation, and isola,
ton from other meat products as tho
secretary OF agriculture may pre-.
scribe.
4. Power should be given TO the sec.
rotary OF agriculture TO make rules
and regulations regarding the santa,
ton and construction OF all buildings
used or intended To be used for the
care OF food products for interstate or
foreign trade, and 10 make such regil
lation as he may deem necessary 10
otherwise protect the cleanliness and
wholesomeness OF animal products
prepared and sold for foreign and
interstate commerce.
5. IL should be forbidden 10 any
person, firm. or corporation 10 trans
port or offer for transportation from
one state to another any meat or mea,
food products not inspected and
labeled.
General Suggestlons.--1. The mum
Der OF inspectors should be largely
Increased. so that special assignments
may be made for night inspection. 10,
tho examination ~ animal. -. -