GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 235 



system. Against disturbing effects of this nature, 

 and even against the most powerful poisons, the 

 body produces substances of an antitoxic nature, 

 and can even withstand deadly doses of arsenic, 

 morphia, ricinine, etc., if by their very gradual 

 introduction time is allowed for the preparation 

 of the corresponding antidote. If the body, how- 

 ever, is suddenly given large quantities of these 

 injurious materials, it suffers from the action of the 

 poisons. For this reason a new feeding-stuff should 

 not at once be fed in full quantities, but the daily 

 supply increased so that 4-7 days are taken to 

 reach the full amount. A gradual change is also 

 necessary in passing from stall- to meadow-feeding 

 and vice versa, so also when green fodder, roots, 

 silage are introduced into the ration, or when a 

 change is made in the concentrated food. When 

 new hay or oats are substituted for old, when feed- 

 ing with molasses begins, or even when the food 

 is altered the change must be gradual. The greater 

 the difference between the new food and the old 

 the longer should the transition period be. The 

 custom of dividing the daily ration into several 

 meals is entirely sound from the point of view of 

 the food metabolism in the body, for the heat which 

 is produced during and after feeding is divided 

 more regularly over the day and night, and so is 

 better utilised. The production value of the nu- 

 trients is also greater when the food is spread over 



