The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1907-02-28
QUESTIONED The ABILITY
ON GOVERNMENTS AGENT
Drs. Markley and Bond Called to Examine the
Condemned Meat and They Pronounced
Disease To Be tuberculosis In An
Aggravated Form.

The discovery of tuberculosis in two
yesterday at the Richmond abattoir
gave rise to a hard fought contention
between the owners of the butchering
establishment and DIR. Wagner, the
United States government inspector
as TO whether or not the recent cases
found in cattle slaughtered at the es
tablishment were really and truly, well
developed cases of tuberculosis. DIR.
Wagner placed the government stamp
condemned" on both carcassas, in the
face of the most severe opposition,
and won a signal victory in that DR..
Charles S. Bond. city health officer,
and DIR. G. s. Markley, stockholder in
the concern, both of them baccilli ex-
perts, pronounced the case discovered
yesterday afternoon, as tuberculosis
without any hesitancy. The proprie-
tors of the plant then gave in and the
carcasses We're last night placed in the
steam vat and will remain there until
they are thoroughly steamed to ashes
Splendid Animal Condemned.
A COW weighing in the neighborhood
of eight hundred pounds was killed at
the abattoir yesterday morning, and it
was Immediately condemned by Dr.
Wagner, and he met no opposition on
the part of the owners of the plant, but
when yesterday afternoon bull weigh
ing 1895 pounds, and considered one of
the finest specimens which had been
rI. ,,
demned by DIR. Wagner, the proprie-
tors of the concern became doubtful,
as to whether the inspector knew just
exactly what he was doing. The COW
had passed rigid inspection on foot,
and the proprietors were congratulate
ing themselves on having secured such
a fine animal. A fancy price was
paid, hence their reluctance in parting
with the carcass.
Just as soon as the entrails were ta-
ken from the dead animal, Dr. Wagon
er saw at a glance something was
wrong, as the lungs, kidneys and liver
were swollen abnormally, while large
swollen tubercles were found, both on
the exterior and interior of the lungs.
The carcass was Immediately con-
demned by the doctor, but when he
stated that the meat would have to be
taken to the boiling vat, the officials
of the company including w. S. Ewry.
secretary, T. c. Jurgenson, general
manager. and James Beeson. treasur-
er and buyer, all objected strenuously
stating that they thought that surely
Mr. Wagner was wrong, and did not
hesitate in expressing their views to
him. To further influence him they
Immediately called several butchers
in the establishment and asked them
their opinion. They all said that they
had handled hundreds of such cases
during their experiences in the butcher
ing business and did not think that the
affliction of which the beast had been
suffering was tuberculosis, as they had
many times cut such portions off and
sold the carcass. The whole abattoir
force turned against DR.. Wagner and
the situation was very unpleasant for
both him and the force, in that their re-
lations in the past have been congen-
ial Opinions were expressed freely
in the word battle which followed over
the case, but Or. Wagner remained
firm in his decision. saving, We'll.
gentlemen, do not care what you say.
Il
should and is condemned" He then
took his government stamp and
stamped the word Condemned" all
over the carcass, amidst the protesta-
tions OF both the employees and owners
OF the plant
The doctor told Mr.. Ewry. the sec
rotary of the firm, that If he had any
doubt about the matter. he could call
all the veterinaries and baccilli eN-
perts in the city. and have them pass
on the true merits of the case. He
however stated that he had condemn /
ed the carcass. and under no circum- /
stances would he change his decision, I
and if the company wished TO use the
meat. they would have to take the mat +
ter up with DR.. A. D. Melvin. the chief 1
of the government meat inspection de |
partment-
Other Doctors Called.
In order to satisfy themselves that I
the case was really tuberculosis, as
DIR. Wagner had pronounced it, the +
owners of the plant called DR.. c. s. /
Marklev,. q stockholder of the plant.
and Dr. Bond. city health officer. 10
the scene. as both are experts on work i
of such nature. The two physicians /