PRESERVATION OF MEAT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 74, 18 September 1911, Page 7

PRESERVATION OF MEAT

i A REMARKABLE DISCOVERY. J A remarkable discovery concerning the . preservation of meat, which promises to revolutionise the industry, is reported from South Africa. The discovery was made by Mr. Carl Hens, after many years of close, investigation, and lie has seemingly found the secret of preventing decomposition setting in so quickly as it would under ordinary circumstances. | Testimonials have been received from many medical men of the South African colonies, as well as health ollicers and leading citizens. Several of the tests made are exceptionally interesting. At Capetown last November, when the weather was fairly warm, a number of oxen were killed, and subsequently treated with the liens method, and four days later the carcases were found to be in an excellent condition. In Natal similar experiments were carried out, and although the carcases were stored in the Government laboratory in moist and humid weather for seven days the Government Bacteriologist came forwird at the end of that time and testified that the meat was in splendid condition. Again at Capetown an ox was slaughtered and after receiving the liens treatment the carcase was exposed to the glaring rays of the sun for 14 days, and afterwards testimony was forthcoming from about 30 leading citizens to the | effect that the meat had retained all its nutritive qualities, and was in good and fitting condition for human consumption. An unusually severe test was tried in North Transvaal, when an outbreak of fever occurred among stock. On this occasion 1000 oxen were killed, dressed, treated under the Hens method, and afterwards the carcases were sent on a journey by mule carts and train lasting over fiye, ,da_ys. Despite the fact that no special provision for eool storage had been miuje..■the carcases arrived in Johannesburg in highly satisfactory condition, and were subsequently cut up and distributed for human consumption. The East Coast fever is regarded as the. greatest scourge of South Africa, and when an ox is infected it is necessary, according to law, to slaughter the whole herd, thereby causing a heavy loss to the owners, because the carcas3s must be buried. Since the inauguration of the Hens method, however, the animals arc examined after death, and if the carcase is found to be free from the disease it can be treated and disposed of for food. Consequently! cattle raisers are saved ] from-the,., great loss which would other- j wise result. An Australia representative arrived from South Africa last week in Tasmania, and agencies arc to be opened up in the Commonwealth for the new method, which should prove of immense value to those engaged in the meat trade.