266 SWINE IN AMERICA 



relished because of the presence in it of so much oil. It 

 is extremely rich in oil and starchy matter, and compara- 

 tively poor in protein and ash, being, therefore, unusual- 

 ly well atlapted for supplying material for fat and heat, 

 1)ut not for bone and muscle. Hence, its largest value is 

 not for breeding stock and growing pigs, but perhaps 

 more nearly than any other one grain it approaches the 

 ideal, when properly utilized, for quick fattening for 

 market. A carbonaceous food, its use alone is not the 

 best feeding, as experience has abundantly testified. No 

 matter how well one phase of the body's composition may 

 be looked after, if other important constituents are ig- 

 nored and uncared for, nature is pretty certain to set up a 

 vigorous complaint, which is not uncommonly referred to 

 as hog cholera, but, when the exact truth is desired, will 

 perhaps be more appropriately designated as carelessness. 

 An almost exclusive corn diet and unclean conditions 

 will produce fatal results with human beings; this state- 

 ment finds verification in the terrible disease known as 

 "pellagra" or "Italian leprosy," afflicting the peasantry 

 of southern Europe. The Encyclopedia Britannica says 

 of this disease : "The special factor is undoubtedly maize 

 as an article of diet or as the staple diet; but it is, on the 

 other hand, perfectly clear that there is nothing in a 

 maize diet itself to induce pellagra. Its presence within 

 its actual endemic area varies much from province to 

 province or from commune to commune, being ahvays 

 least where the maize diet is supplemented by wheaten 

 flour, rice, beans, chestnuts, potatoes or fish." 



