The meat veterinary inspection in slaughterhouses eliminates from the food chain, by the opinion of the official veterinarian, meats unfit for human consumption. It mainly includes ante mortem and post mortem sanitary inspection and other aspects before and after the slaugthering of animals. Residue investigation is a fundamental part of sanitary inspection in slaughterhouses. In the ante mortem and post mortem phase, for the identification and sampling of possible suspects, for screening and in external laboratories, for laboratory confirmation of positives.

Based on communications presented to congresses and seminars, publications and photographs of 1) animals, carcasses, carcass parts and offals, ruled as unfit for human consumption, the main animal diagnosed diseases and lesions are shown; and 2) animals, carcasses or suspicious and/or positives materials, the history of the use in Spain, of growth promoters in intensive livestock farming, mainly bovine, from 1988 to 1993 is presented.

The objective of this collection is to offer professionals, technicians and students of related degrees, an instrument of consultation for teaching and continuing education. Acknowledgments: to official veterinarians and professionals of the sector.