Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1906-06-14

That aI0 entlrely unnecessary anu uu~
~pardonaDie, and which are a consta=s
menace not only to their own health,
but to the health of those who use the
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
on 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-
sented to us. That this unimportant
and superficial examination should be
compulsory under the present law,
whereas the more scientific examina-
ton after slaughter is only permis-
slve, indicates a serious defecs in the
law.
Inspection After Slaughter.-Inspec-
ton after slaughter appears to be care
fully and con~scientiously made. The
government veterinarians maintain
that 1t is adequate, insisting that a
passing examination of certain glands,
OF the v~iscera, and OF the general con-
dition of the carcass is sufficient to
enable an expert, engaged constantly
on his 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
a later and more careful examination.
There should, however, be more pre-
cautions taken to insure that the in
straments used must be kept antisep-
ticalJy 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.
quently eaten raw in Germany, are
net so used in America, Is not strictly
true. Large numbers of our foreign
born population eat ham and pork
comparatively raw, and hence need the
protection; and, further, much of this
pork goes into sausage to be eaten
without being cooked.
Number of Inspectors.-The present
lumber of inspectors is certainly mad
cquate, 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 10 inspectors at all, and
pay sell u~ninspected meat wherever
they please in the United States.
Legislation.
/. Examination before slaughter is
Of minor importance and should be
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 the 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 to 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 the
process of preparation, and all such
labels should contain the date of is
suance, and it should be a 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, if returned to the
same, should be subject to such fur
Their inspection, regulation, and isola
ton from other meat products as the
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 buildingi
used or intended to be used for the
care of food products for interstate Oh
foreign trade, and to make such regu
lation as he may deem necessary t.
otherwise protect the cleanliness and
wholesomeness of animal products
prepared and sold for foreign and
interstate commerce.
8. It should be forbidden to any
person, firm, or corporation to trans
port or offer for transportation from
one state to another any meat or meat
food products not inspected and
labeled.
General Suggestions.-1. The mum.
Der of inspectors should be largely
increased, SO that special assignments
may be made for night inspection, for
the examination of animals at the
platforms Of stock yards, for the fol.
lowing of dead animals to their al
legged destination, and for other spe-
cial work.
2. Special government inspection
should be carried on continuously to