VITAMINES 49 



Mention of the nursing mother brings me to the 

 last point with which I propose to trouble you. 

 Evidence has accumulated to suggest that vitamines 

 are not made in the animal body. The animal 

 depends ultimately upon the plant for a supply. 

 They accumulate in the tissues of herbivorous 

 animals, and there, as well as in the plant, they 

 are available for human consumption. But if 

 vitamines are not made in the body at all, this 

 means, in the case of the nursing mother, that if 

 she consume a diet deficient in vitamines her milk 

 may ultimately become deficient— to the complete 

 detriment of the nutrition of her child. Animal 

 experiments have already revealed such deficiencies 

 in milk. It will be seen that the whole question 

 of infant feeding is one in which a knowledge of 

 these special accessory food factors is particularly 

 important. The deficiencies which we have been 

 considering are indeed of more urgent importance 

 in connection with the nutrition of the young than 

 when adults are concerned. Hence what I believe 

 to be the national importance of the subject. 

 Whether this importance prove ultimately to be 

 less than some of us believe, or whether — for this 

 is quite possible — it may prove to be of as yet 

 unsuspected importance, it should in any case 

 awaken public interest. We are yet at the bare 

 beginning of its study. 



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