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    amr. 30, 1856.1 THE LEADER. '819

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    ACCIDENTS AND SUJDDEN DEATHS. A DBflBRTB...

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    Wic Dinnibr To The Guards. Tins Most Hht...

    am satisfied that every . man of you participates in my feelings . " ( General applause . ) On « he suggestion of the Lord Mayor , a round of cheers was given for the commanding officers of the various ( regiments . „ . ,, The Chairman ( to ! the men ) : " . Now , file oft in the bestway you con , my lads . " For two ; honrs , the Guards paraded about the grounds , and then , returning to the music-hall , they listened to a vocal and . instrumental concert . The evening ' s entertainments concluded with a display of fireworks , after which , at nine o ' clock , the soldiers marched home .

    " Independently of the military , " says the account from which we have already quoted , " there could not have been less than 20 , 000 persons present . Nor must we forget to mention that among the illustrious visitors was . Mrs . Seacole , whose appearance awakened the most rapturous enthusiasm . The soldiers not only cheered her , but chaired her around the gardens , and she really might have suffered from the oppressive attentions of her admirers , were it not that two sergeants of extraordinary stature gallantly undertook to protect her from the pressure of the crowd . However , the excellent lady did not appear in the least alarmed , but , on the contrary , smiled . most graciously and . seemed highly gratified .

    • " The liberality of the Directors of the Royal Surrey . Gardens should -not 'be forgotten . Not only did they grant the use of their beautiful . pleasure-grounds gratuitously , but they placed . at the disposal of the committee the receipts at the doors up to five o ' clock . The subscriptions exceed 1100 / ., and the committee have on hand a handsome sum for presentation to some military charity . " Of the character of the dinner provided for the men , the Daily News thus writes : —" Luxuries and delicacies may scarcely bethought suited to the appetites of private soldiers , but good solid rounds and barons of beef , quarters of .-mutton , and such like substantial fare might be supposed . to constitute an appropriate repast for men at

    arms in-these , . as in olden times . There was cold ham and cold beef , but apparently in no superfluous abundance : the beef , instead of being : placed on the table in huge joints as ingood old English fashion , for the men to cut at and eome again , was brought in cut up in slices as from a cook ' s shop . There were a few lettuces placed at intervals along the tables , alternated with saucers containing about half a dozen small apples each , and plates having upon them slices of a black-looking composition , which a spectator in the galleries might imagine was intended to do duty as pudding , but which the men seemed to regard rather as one of 'the properties' of the establishment than as an article of food . Altogether ,

    the dinner was of that description which an Alton nleshop or an ordinary public-house would have supplied for about sixpence or ninepence a head , exclusive of the stout and wine ; and , unless a very large profit indeed has been permitted to the contractor , there must be a handsome sum remaining over in the hands of the committee , to be applied , in accordance with the terms of their advertisement , in aid of the various public charities in connexion with the naval and military services . " This shabby banquet was despatched in about twenty minutes ; and the toasts were drunk—to perpetrate a Hibernicismwithout anything to drink them in . The writer in the Daily News proceeds : —•

    " The dinner having terminated about four , and the succeeding two hours being occupied in the manner indicated , about six o ' clock preparations were made for the concert . And here arose another evidence of mismanagement on the part of the dinner committee ; or it should rather be said an exhibition of the grossest negligence . It was a paTtof the programme that the centre of the hall should be reserved expressly for the soldiers —an arrangement which was obviously nothing but simple justice to the subscribers of the dinner fund , who had been promised certain things in return for their money , not to mention the gue 3 ts of the duy—the , soldiers themselves . In point of fact , however , the general company , -who -were admitted after live o ' clock on the

    customary payment of Is ., had been allowed to monopolize that portion of the building while the soldiers wero innocently enjoying themselves outside , and when the concert commenced the public seemed determined to keep their ground . ¦ An unseemly row was the consequence . The committee ( it first evinced n desire to turn out those who ouf'ht not to have been admitted , at least to that part of tho building ; they wero , however , coinpolled to abandon their inLenUon , M . Jullicn justly remarking from tho orchoHtra , amid tho tumult of chuotic souiuIh which greeted him , that it was now ' too lute . ' Tho wholes tiling was , in whorl , an uTemediultlo iiiomh . Of tho 12000 Guards , probably not , more tlmii ' 200 had

    places of any kind , though iniiny nioro evinced ii strong dosiro to bo accommodated . It is consolatory to think that whul is likely to bo impressed most , permanently on tho minds of tho Guiudu is , not tho dinner or tho concert , but this reception they mat with from tho throng iihsciublcd to welcome , thorn . Tho Hpiritin which they viewed tho mutter was well expressed by a , veteran , who , when questioned respecting tho dinner , of which ho . hud just partaken , replied , with soldierly decision , ' Tho dinner wn « nothing , sir—it was llio reception ; no man amnnji , us cared lor the dinner , lull we all foul that no portion of the ISril . ish army over had mich a reception heforo . ' " It should be ailded that Lhe Muntiity I ' oat- \ x \\ w a directly opposite account of tho dinner .

    DISEASED MEAT . As a companion to the report of the Parliamentary ¦ Committee on the Adulteration of Food , & c , of which we last week gave an ample summary , we have this week the report of a committee , consisting of Dr . iLetheby , Dr . R . D . Thomson , Dr . Barnes , Mr . Liddle , Dr . 'Gibbon , and Dr . Druifrt , with Dr . Challiee as'Chairman , appointed by the Metropolitan Association of Medical Officers of Health , to inquire into the facts relating to the alleged sale of diseased

    and unwholesome meat in the metropolis , as well as -the ill effects arising therefrom , and trte best mode of prevention . Some of the disclosures contained in this document are even more horrible and disgusting than the facts brought forward in the Parliamentary report . In vain do the poor fly from alumy and sandy bread to meat : in the cheap butcher ' s shop , they run a chance of being poisoned by the most dreadful forms of animal corruption . "We read in the report alluded to : — . _ .

    " Your committee consider the fact to be fully proved , that large quantities of unwholesome meat are constantly on sale to the lower orders in London . At their first meeting , on the 21 st of June , Dr . Challiee produced several specimens which had been exposed for sale at butchers' shops in South wark , and which had been either purchased by him or seized under his directions on the same day . For example , there was a sheep ' s liver which had been seized . It was dark , soft , and ill-smelling ,. and the veins contained fibrinous coagula . There was a shoulder of mutton , purchased at 7 d . per lb . ; the fat of a dirty yellow , the muscle emaciated , and of a peculiar

    light colour and sour smell . There was part of a sirloin , purchased at 6 d . in Bermondsey , not ill-looking , but wonderfully thin and quite destitute of fat . There were also specimens of veal and beef of nauseous appearance ; and side by side with these Dr . Challiee exhibited a piece of the boiled flesh of a healthy horse , accidentally killed , which looked and smelled quite wholesome , and a leg of mutton , plump , firm , and of pure white fat , which was destined for the paupers' dinner in Bermondsey workhouse on the next day . The contrast between the mutton provided by the Board of Guardians for the paupers and that which was offered for sale to the industrious classes was palpable enough .

    " At a subsequent meeting , Mr . Fisher and Mr . Pocklington were , good enough to bring and exhibit portions of beef and lamb which had been seized , on that day , in Newgate-market . The beef was thoroughly wet and soft ; the lamb , wet , soft , utterly devoid of fat , in the areolar tissue , and within and around the kidney ; pus wa ? found in the areolar tissue of the pelvis by Dr . Gibbon , and the smell of both specimens was . incredibly

    nauseous . " Your committee have also the evidence of Mr . Fisher , that he often sees meat exposed for sale in the suburbs which he should seize if within his own jurisdiction in the City ; and of Dr . Gibbon , who has caused unwholesome meat to be seized in the Ilolborn District . " The fact , then , that such meat is habitually offered for sale is indisputable . As to the quantity of it your committee can only refer to a return with which they have been favoured by Mr . Daw , of the City Sewersoflice , showing the quantity seized in the City of London live

    during the year 1855 . By this it appears that 26 animals , G 12 entire carcases , 69 G quarters , 8 sides , and 227 joints of beef , mutton , veal , and lamb were seized in that year , besides an immense quantity of poultry , game , and fish , which probably was condemned because putrid . But it must be borne in mind that the City of London is a , privileged place , that the inspection of meat and slaughterhouses is there carried on 83-stematically , and that , as Mr . Fisher declares , much meat which could not bo exposed in the City , is aold openly in th « suburbs . "

    The committee direct attention to . tho signs by which diseased moat may be told . These . arc : —rbad colour , either too dingy or too bright ; a . peculiarly sour and sickening smell ; a wetness , softness , and fiabbiness ; a curdling and clotting of the blood ; and " shreda and flakes of white matter in the largar veins , particularly in the liver . " " Then , there is a whole set of eifrns which show that an animal , before being killed , was greatly out of condition : such as a pale bloodless eye , a paleness of the

    ' bark' of sheep , and unnatural whiteness of the nosh , which are often seen in sheep which have the rot . Want of fat , nnd especially of the suet about the kidneys , in plaoii of which a watery flabby fttiUl" is sometimes found ; wasting of tho iloahy part of the meat , aud n . watory jelly-like state of tho tiasuc which lies between tins miiHclcH , insomuch that drops of water mny run out when it is cut across , aro other decided signs , it is to bo remarked , that drovors urc said sometimes to strike heavy blows on the oyo to hide tho pulo look which arises from

    wasting disease . "Again , there nre some signs of special disease . Thus , when cattle have died of plouropnouinonia , or lung disease , the insider of the ribs will UHUiilly bo found to ho fiirreil up with a quantity of white curdy matter ( pleuritic adhesions ); and tho same is found Inside the Hanks when boantn have died of inllaiuinnt . ion of the bowels . In these canes , the natural smooth glintoniiitf nurlaco of tho membrane which lines tho ribs and flanks it ) loat .

    " . One thing rto -be especially looked for is the . little bladders among the flesh *> f pigs , rwhich constitute th < disease known < as measles ; and similar things in the liver of sheep which have the . Tot . — .. . .. " It is quite certain that very ranch of ttfais doiibtful meat , together with large quantities of ^ that-whidh « certainly unwholesome , . and . especially-slipped cafcres 'and measly pork , is made into sausages , and daily consumed by the public . Your committee have reason to JbeJieve that the flesh of horses ( except the tongue ) isnot rifled , certainly not extensively used , for human food , simply because -it fetches such a good price as cots' and < dogs ' meat .

    " Yonr committee have learned , that most of the diseased meat supplied to the metropolis is brought from the country , that is to say , that very few 'diseased animals are brought into or slaughtered in London , but that they are killed in the country by persons -who -make this a regular business " As for the distribution of this meat , there is no doubt that it is purchased after regular market hours , by tradesmen who retail it to the labouring classes late in the evening , in the suburbs of what are called low neighbourhoods . . Much meat is sold by gaslight which could scarcely ; be exposed in broad daylight . " This diseased meat wastes excessively in cooking ; and therefore , as the committee remark , although less is paid for it , it is in effect dearer .

    " There can be no doubt but that the use of diseased meat may be a specific cause of illness . We need scarcely remind you that the eating of measly pork and of ollcooked animal food in general is notoriously a cause-of tape-worm and of various forms of hydatid that infest the human subject . Instances have come under the notice of Dr . Gibbon , Dr . Challiee , and other members of the committee , of symptoms of poisoning arising from the use of unsound . meat partially cooked . It appears to be almost established that , in most cases , prolonged boiling deprives it of any active poisonous properties ; and it is said that the flesh of glandered horses , after being boiled , can be handled and eaten with impunity ; but roasting and frying are far less efficient means of subjecting f lesh thoroughly to the purifying influence » f heat .

    " We may allude in passing to the over-fed condition in which cattle are commonly killed at Christmas . Dr . Druitt has seen several instances of illness from eating that kind of meat ; but it is matter of . gratification . that excessive and unnatural fatness seems now to be . lees cultivated by breeders of animals . " Your committee may observe that , although it may be difficult to prove it by actual cases , they have -no doubt that unwholesome meat is one cause among many of the debility and cachexies , the poverty of blood ,-and intractable maladies of the poor who flock to the dispensaries and parochial medical officers ; and especially of diarrhoea during hot weather . "

    Having pointed out the various Aots of Parliament passed against the sale of diseased meat , the committee conclude by recommending " that the several inspectors of nuisances , appointed under the Mataropolis Local Management Act , be i empowered ; to act as sanitary inspectors under the Nuisances Uemovai Act for England , 1855 , and , if necessary , that they also receive authority from two justices , under tttae act l » th and 20 th Victoria , chap . 131 . "

    Amr. 30, 1856.1 The Leader. '819

    amr . 30 , 1856 . 1 THE LEADER . ' 819

    Accidents And Sujdden Deaths. A Dbflbrtb...

    ACCIDENTS AND SUJDDEN DEATHS . A DBflBRTBB'from the eth Hussars has loat his lifc-in a daring attempt to escape from a railway carriage . Me was . in-the custody . of twoieoldiers of ttho regiment , sand was being conveyed by the express ; train froniiBinningham to York . When between 13 urton-on- 'fcwnt « njd Barton station , he leaped , luwdcnflod amlio . was , through the window of the carriage . Hbe step of the succeeding oarriago caught him in its progress nnd inflicted aiujh . serious injuries as to cause death shortly nfteirwaxda . — Mr . Edward Moxon , goods mianager . of the East ( Lancashire : Railway , has been killed on the line . Jn company with another gentleman ( says a local . paper ) ho was . going on an engine to his resilience , Howden Hull , uoar liatclifl ' . Seeing another engine coming up the lino in . an opposite ¦ direction , Mr . Moxon became ufraid of a collision , jumped off the engine , . and broko his leg . The other gentleman and engine-drivers , althoug h there wna n alight collision , remained upon the enp i ""*' , and escupod lininjurod . Mr . Moxon was immediately removed home , when medicul aid was called in aiul every attention was paid him ; but ho rtow worse , and died from the effects of lock-jaw , brought on by tho mjurios . —Inquests have been held by Mr . Horford , coroiwr for Manchester , on two men . . lames Anderson , tho guard of n ballast wucmm on tho Miuichoster and Sheffield

    Railway , was with a train of ballast waggona on an undine between Hadlield and Dinting Vale , when tho direo la * t waggons broke loose , in consequence of tho cotter slipping out of tho coupling chain . Tho . waggons butfan to run backwards , Andorwm being on tho one nearest , the other part of tl . e train . Ho signalled tho driver to bade aft or the loosn wufW » iiH , which was done , and ho was in tln-. net of refartteniiiK the two parts of the tram when he fell off and got . under the wheels . His h-fl . l « tf was cut off , and h . i died at tho Manchester Iiillnnary the aiuno night . Tho other inqueat w «» h on tho body ol

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 30, 1856, page 3, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_30081856/page/3/