HC Deb 31 August 1909 vol 10 c178
Mr. LUPTON

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the calves used in the vaccine establishment for the production of lymph are slaughtered shortly after the lymph has been extracted; and if, after such slaughtering, any steps are taken to discover any latent disease that might be in the calf, which latent disease might pass into the lymph undiscovered?

Mr. BURNS

My hon. Friend asked me a similar question on 22nd June last. As I stated in reply, each calf is slaughtered as soon as practicable after its removal by the owner, and a post-mortem examination is made, at which a veterinary surgeon engaged for the purpose is present. He makes a careful examination of the carcase and of the viscera in order to ascertain whether the calf was in perfect health, and immediately afterwards sends in a certificate as to its healthiness or otherwise.

Mr. LUPTON

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether the slaughtering of the animals does not prevent the development of signs of disease which might already be in the blood?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a question of an argumentative character.