100 



THE SCIENTIFIC FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



Digestibility and wholesomeness. — Bran and middlings are easily di- 

 gested and are usually well assimilated. They might be regarded as 

 roughages rather than concentrates. 



Given in small quantities, bran, especially wheat bran, has a good die- 

 tetic effect, exerting laxative and soothing influences on the intestinal 

 mucous membranes. It is therefore a desirable supplement to the less 

 digestible and constipating leguminous seeds and exerts a favorable in- 

 fluence on catarrhal conditions of the digestive as well as the respiratory 

 organs (distemper). 



Disadvantages. — Continued and excessive feeding of bran and espe- 

 cially of middlings has a laxative effect on the digestive organs. Bran, 

 when fed in quantities of 12 to 20 pounds per day (e. g., millers' horses) 

 is liable to produce intestinal concretions Ctriple phosphate), or urinary 

 calculi and sediments in sheep, due to its rich phosphoric acid content 

 (Klimmer)". Bran is rich in phosphoric acid but poor in lime salt, and 

 when fed in conjunction with other substances that are deficient in lime. 



Fig. 

 of tbe 

 cells; 



49. a, b. The three outer coats or skins 

 wheat grain; c, aleurone layer; d, starch 

 ?, starch grains; /, fat globules. 



like hay, it leads to lime starvation (osteomalacia of lower jaws, bones 

 of the legs and joints, poor teeth, faulty mastication, chronic gastro- 

 intestinal catarrh). 



Middlings are heavy and pasty in character, are liable to get "lumpy" 

 in the stomach and ferment, and induce catarrh, tympanitis and colic, 

 unless thoroughly mixed with plenty of chaffed feed or water. Damp 

 flour or refuse particles of dough from bakeries or the kitchen are liable 

 to undergo fermentation and, when fed to animals, may produce serious 

 indigestion. 



KThe various forms of bran are very rich in phosphoric acid compounds and contain, in addi- 

 tion, considerable quantities of magnesia. The ammonia, which is formed by the various decom- 

 position processes that take place in the alimentary canal, precipitates the phosphate of magnesia 

 in the form of triple phosphate (phosphate of ammonia and magnesia). The latter not infre- 

 quently accumulates to form stones and concretions in the intestines of the horse. On the other 

 hand, the salts of phosphoric acid and magnesia may be absorbed to a considerable extent and 

 excreted by the kidneys. In the course of catarrhal affections of the bladder, ammoniacal fer- 

 mentations may be set up and convert urea into ammonium carbonate. The ammonia, as in 

 case of intestinal fermentation, precipitates the phosphate of magnesia as triple phosphate, and 

 cystic stones and concretions are the result (sheep). 



