Page:BehindtheScenesinSlaughterHouses.pdf/13

11 inspection a few years back, and it may perhaps be said—"Oh, things are much better now." They are better in the fact that the number of private slaughter-houses has been greatly reduced, and that the very worst specimens have been closed. But it is impossible to assert that we are anywhere near perfection when such places are still, in this year, 1892, allowed to exist in Islington and Clerkenwell as are described in the following rough notes recently jotted down at the time of inspection.

"No 4.—A calf and lamb slaughter-house only. Men had just done killing about six calves, which were hanging in place where killed. Long, narrow, low-roofed place. Ventilation insufficient. Very dirty. Floor of old, defective cement. Lair is just one end of slaughter-house barricaded off with low partition of zinc-covered wood. Man said it was a pity to alter it to make it higher, in accordance with County Council's new by-laws, 'as sheep could not see over top.' Partition really about three feet high. A lot of old, white-washed wood-work about, dirty like rest of place. A big, separate lair in an outhouse, wretchedly dark."

"No. 5.–Very small pig-killing place. Here Inspector had reported that place was unsatisfactory, but licensed after personal examination by County Council Committee. Lair a corner of the room, big enough to hold one pig. Boom itself (where slaughtering and hanging both take place) about 12 feet by 8 feet. Approach through shop, by winding passage. Window of house opens into slaughter-house. Next door to slaughtering-room, separated by