Page:Description of the Abattoirs of Paris.djvu/9

Rh spread disease and death amongst the inhabitants; the impossibility of preventing the sale and consumption of unwholesome and tainted meat, on account of the want of concentration, for the purposes of supervision; and the difficulty which existed of controlling those who conducted the trade of the slaughterer.

Upon this report a decree was passed, directing the erection of five abattoirs; three on the north side of the River Seine, and two on the south side, and on the 15th of September, 1818, they were opened for business. These establishments are very spacious, and there is no doubt but that still greater numbers of cattle might be slaughtered there than at present.

They are each respectively situated about one mile and threequarters from the centre of the city, within the barriers, in spaces still tolerably clear from habitations; but probably at the time they were built there were still fewer houses in their vicinity.

The following table gives their names, sizes, and the number of slaughter-houses in each:—

It should be stated, that the trade of the butcher is protected and regulated by a syndicate, or guild, which was established many years ago, and is formed of a President and six Associates. This body advises the Minister of the Interior upon all matters connected with the interests of the trade, both as respects the abattoirs and the markets, and is consulted upon, the enactment of all laws tending to regulate it. It has also the command of certain funds, derived from the abattoirs, from which it grants superannuation pensions.

The markets from which Paris is supplied with cattle, sheep, and calves, are at Poissy, which is thirteen miles to the northwest, and at Sceaux, which is five miles and a quarter on the south of the city. There are two other markets in Paris for cows and calves, namely, La Chapelle aud des Bernardins. The two former are of the most importance, and are under the control of the municipal authorities.

The market at Poissy is held every Thursday, and at Sceaux