M. E. Peligot on the Composition of Asses' Milk. 83 



the greater or shorter time which elapses from the previous 

 milking; the analysis presents, moreover, sensible differences 

 according as it is taken from the early or late drawn portion of 

 the same milking. Thus when the milk drawn without inter- 

 ruption, and of course at the same milking, after an interval of 

 nine hours from the former, is divided into three distinct por- 

 tions, the following is the result : 



100.00 100.00 100.00 



Thus, in the same milking, the richest is that which is last 

 procured, a fact in accordance with the universal opinion of 

 those conversant with the concerns of the dairy ; and also with 

 the experiments of M. Deyeux, and of Parmentier on the pro- 

 portion of butter contained in the different portions of the milk 

 obtained on the same occasion. 



In finishing his labours, M. Peligot endeavoured to ascertain 

 if the introduction of certain mineral substances into [the food 

 of the animal passed into the circulation, and affected the milk. 

 For ten days thirty grains of the iodide of potassium was admi- 

 nistered to an ass, and its milk was then submitted to analysis. 

 After being evaporated to dry ness, the residuum was heated in 

 a platinum crucible : the part which was soluble in water, after 

 being acidified by sulphuric acid, gave, by means of a solution 

 of starch and chlorine, a very sensible tint of blue. This milk, 

 therefore, contained iodide of potassium. Common salt given at 

 the rate of three ounces a-day was recognised in the milk by its 

 flavour, and was also made apparent by analysis. Chlorine 

 given at the rate of five grains a-day, and to the extent of twelve 

 grains, could not be traced in the milk ; nor could it be disco- 

 vered in that of a she-goat, which had taken the same quanti- 

 ties. Thirty grains of the bicarbonate of soda were given for 

 six successive days to an ass. At the end of this time its milk 

 was found highly alkaline the moment it was drawn, the ex- 

 periment being made upon fifteen different milks. Usually the 

 new drawn milk of the ass exhibits acid properties. 



