The detection of arthritis in pigs in an abattoir and its public health significance.

The results of a study of the prevalence in each joint of arthritis in pigs as detected by meat inspectors is presented. A prevalence of arthritis in 1.07% of carcases was obtained, of which 0.28% were condemned totally and 0.79% condemned partially. With partial condemnations there was a bias to the left side in the hindquarters, and a significant bias to the hindquarter as compared with the forequarter. A consequence was that undetected arthritis lesions, especially in the forequarter and probably containing viable Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, are finding their way to the consumer.