6G8 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



The following aiialy.ses of colostrum from a Norman cow which calved 

 November 12 illustrate difterent stages of the transition of colostrum 

 into normal milk: 



Composition of colostrum at different dates. 



Novenibcr ^2: 



Snspcmled. 



Soluble 



November 13: 



Siispeiided. 



Soluble 



November 1 4 : 



Sns])en(led. 



Soluble.... 

 November !'>: 



Susjieiided. 



Soluble.... 

 November 10: 



Suspended. 



Soluble.--. 

 November 18: 



Suspended. 



Sol-uble 



November 20 : 



Suspeudeil- 



Soluble . . . . 

 November 28: 



Suspeiuled. 



Soluble . . . . 



Grams. 

 5.69 



5.70 



3.85 



Lactose. 



Orams. 



3.30 



4.05 

 '4.32 



4.20 



4.44 

 4. G4 

 '4.9c 

 5.0.3 



Albumi- 

 noids. 



Gr 



ams. 

 14.05 

 0.51 



5.21 

 0.03 



3. .52 

 1.98 



3.45 

 2.41 



5.20 

 0.56 



4.02 

 1.19 



3.56 

 0.48 



3.74 

 0.58 



Phos- 



pliate of 



lime. 



Graini. 

 0.39 

 0.12 



0.33 

 0. 10 



0.23 

 0.20 



0.22 

 0.21 



0.26 

 0.14 



0.18 

 0.20 



0.27 

 0.13 



0.20 

 0.15 



Mineral 



salt.s. 



Total 

 solids. 



Grams. 

 0.44 

 0.10 



0.31 

 0. 12 



0.45 



0.40 

 6.30 



0.29 

 0.30 

 '6.'36 



Grams. 



I 24.03 



I 15. 53 



I 10. 40 



I 18.35 



I 14. 10 



^ 14. 72 



I 13. 80 



I 13. 91 



Analyses of colostrum from cows of other breeds are reported, con- 

 firming in general the above results. 



The author concludes that after parturition the dry matter of colos- 

 trum decreases, then about the third day increases, and afterwards 

 drops to the normal figure for milk. The quantity of fat is subject to 

 great oscillations. The increase in milk sugar is gradual. The albumi- 

 noid matter exists both in suspension and in solution ; both forms 

 decrease after birth, the suspended albuminoids much more than the 

 dissolved albuminoids. The phospliate of lime and other salts are 

 abundant at first; 5 days after parturition their quantity is normal. 

 By this time, in fact, the colostrum has gradually become nornml in 

 color and in its chemical composition and behavior toward rennet very 

 similar to normal milk. 



In conclusion, it is suggested that the changes in colostrum are the 

 result of efforts of nature to adapt the food supply to the varying reipiire- 

 ments of the young in the early stages of its life, the colostrum acting- 

 first probably as a purgative to remove from the intestines of the young 

 animal the meconium which has accumulated during gestation. 



On the composition of the milk of various animals, A. Pizzi 

 {Staz. Sper. Agr, Ital.^ :^6 (i6'.Vi), Xo. 6', j^P- Olo-Oo'J). — Studies are 

 reported on hnman milk and the milk of the goat, sheep, buffalo, mare, 

 ass, rabbit, sow, dog, cat, and rat. All of the animals nsed had given 

 birth to their young 12 to 40 days before the sami)le of milk was drawn. 

 Butter was made from human milk and from the milk of the goat, 



