Wherever possible, photographs illustrating anatomical features and conditions have been included, the latter generally depicting severe examples of conditions. This is a conscious decision, arrived at after giving numerous lectures on meat inspection where I learnt that no two people would describe something the same way.
The section covering anatomy and physiology does not go into great detail; numerous other texts fulfil this function. The order that the bodily systems are introduced should not be construed as an order of importance.
The section covering diseases loosely follows the format of name, synonym, aetiology, pathogenesis, clinical lesions, gross lesions and judgement as to the fitness for human consumption. The diseases are listed in alphabetical order for ease of reference.
The Affections of Specific Parts and Conditions Encountered at Post-Mortem Inspection in Abattoirs is hoped to provide a tool for day-to-day inspection decisions in the abattoir environment, the former now updated to provide an guide to conditions encountered at ante mortem inspection.