40 SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



doubt salt increases the secretion of the digestive 

 juices, but in the form in which it is usually given 

 it has not got the power of rendering the food more 

 available. Very large quantities of salt act as a 

 purgative, and so diminish the digestibility. 



All owners of cattle have been told of the wonder- 

 ful power which some particular condiment has in 

 increasing the digestibility and value of the food. 

 Impartial experiments which have been made with 

 these " condiments " have shown that they do not 

 in any way improve the effect of the food. The 

 animal organism is much too perfect to need assist- 

 ance in such a way. 



