CONDIMENTAL FEEDS AND TEMPERATURE 167 



and the practice is not objectionable as long as the object sought is at- 

 tained, viz., complete consumption without undue excitement or disturb- 

 ance of the animal. 



With the great variety of feeding stuffs at our disposal it is an easy 

 matter (as a rule) to correct deficiencies or to produce desired dietetic 

 effects. Thus young succulent grasses and aromatic (yarrow or milfoil, 

 caraway, wild thyme, common or wild marjoram and mint) or bitter 

 herbs (common tansy, mug worth and wormwood, chicory, germander or 

 heart clover, elecampane) and the common thistle are regarded as excel- 

 lent appetizers and digestive tonics. Young thistles fed to horses pro- 

 duce a smooth and glossy hair coat and promote shedding. Bran, linseed 

 meal and hempseed meal are credited with similar virtues. The latter 

 also soothe irritated mucous membranes of the digestive tract and assist 

 the movement of constipating feeding stuffs (legumes) through the ali- 

 mentary canal. 



Condimental feeds should also be mentioned at this place. These in- 

 clude common salt and such feeding stuffs as contain ethereal oils, bitter 

 principles, salts, certain vegetable acids, and limited amounts of alkaloids. 

 Their importance in nutrition does not depend upon their actual nutri- 

 ent value, but is ascribed to their stimulating effect upon digestion and 

 metabolism. Results of experiments on animals, under normal condi- 

 tions, do not, however, bear out this view. Feed utilization is unaffected, 

 but these substances no doubt play an important role by making possible 

 the consumption of large quantities of feeding stuffs not relished under 

 ordinary conditions. The importance of condimental feeding stuffs con- 

 sists chiefly in the fact that when occasionally added to the ration they 

 stimulate the appetite and the secretion of the digesive fluids and pos- 

 sibly influences the intestinal flora and thus indirectly serve to control 

 fermentative processes and decomposition. 



Every change of feed should be made gradually. Disregard of this 

 rule may lead to digestive disturbances (diarrhea, constipation), perma- 

 nent aversion to the new feeding stuff, loss of appetite, etc. Changes 

 of feed are most frequent at the time of year when green fodder dis- 

 places dry fodder, and vice versa, or when root crops, silage, new hay 

 and oats or molasses are first available. Other occasions are when con- 

 centrates are changed at weaning time or when the usual methods of 

 preparation are modified. The time required for making changes de- 

 pends upon the extent and character of the change. As a rule a period of 

 ten days should be covered. While sound and hygienically unobjection- 

 able feeding stuffs demand care in this respect, still greater caution 

 should be observed with feeding stuffs possessing undesirable peculiari- 

 ties. While sudden changes to such feeding stuffs may result in actual 

 and dangerous disease, gradual transition may be accomplished without 

 the least harm. 



The temperature at which feed is administered is of importance. The 

 maximum temperature for young animals is 104° F. ; more mature ani- 



