Public health administration in Glasgow ; a memorial volume of the writings of James Burn Russell / ... Ed. by A. K. Chalmers.

  • Russell, James Burn.
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Public health administration in Glasgow ; a memorial volume of the writings of James Burn Russell / ... Ed. by A. K. Chalmers. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service. The original may be consulted at London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine Library & Archives Service.

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    the veterinary practitioner in attendance, in which case the-1 ends of justice seemed to be satisfied by a surrender of the- carcase. It is startling, however, to observe what veterinary practitioners will do. There, for instance, was the case of two rumps of beef, sent from Forfarshire, the remainder of] the carcase and viscera being buried in the farmer's garden. The inspector had them exhumed, and found the lungs and abdominal organs stuffed with tubercle, and the serous mem- branes covered with tuberculous vegetations. The case was reported to the Fiscal, and the veterinary surgeon was summoned as one of the witnesses; but after repeated post- ponement on account of the defendant's illness, a pledge was accepted and forfeited. So we lost the pleasure of hearing this- gentleman's views explained from the witness box. There, also, was the case of an emaciated and jaundiced bullock\ which the veterinary excused himself for passing by the cir- cumstance that he examined it by candle light. It is but occasionally that a veterinary certificate is attached to the carcase, and if the carcase bears on the face, and in the history of it, a certificate to the opposite effect, we pay no respect to- the written document. Indeed, in the last case of this sort, after the usual local inquiry, we summoned the certifying veterinary surgeon as a valuable witness for the prosecution. The owner was one of that class of men who take the risk of selling in town. He bought the carcase of a cow which had its throat cut when on the verge of death from stomach- staggers, and was not disembowelled for four hours thereafter. He paid 50s. for it, with a young beast with a broken leg thrown in to the bargain. His veterinary certificate did not save him from the risk of selling in town, as he was fined £5 and lost his cow. Manifestly the veterinary practitioner is placed in a most unenviable position by these requests for a professional opinion in matters where the public interest and the private interest of his client may be opposed. I speak as a member of a profession which, in matters of public health v. private interest r frequently occupies the same position as the veterinary surgeon. I am very anxious to avoid giving offence, and none can be taken if I apply the same standard in these respects to the veterinary surgeon and the medical man. It is acknowledged both by the Sanitary Authorities and by the common sense of my profession that it is more than the average man can be expected to do to condemn the property of his patients and to- do many public acts which must be done, but which are unpleasant to individuals. I see that the veterinary profession abroad does not affect to be above the common frailties of mankind. At the third Session of the Congress for the Study