CARE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS 481 



as for instance on Sabbath morning, will tend to diminish 

 the yield perceptibly for more than one milking immediately 

 following. For the discussion of other influences that af- 

 fect milk yields, see page 419. 



The exertion of work calls for more food and for tak- 

 ing it more frequently than when animals are at rest. Be- 

 cause of this, while horses that are idle and that are simply 

 being carried through the winter, may fare well enough 

 on two feeds a day, it is imperative that those at work shall 

 have three feeds, and it is important that food shall be 

 given on time. Work carried beyond the usual time for 

 taking food means a more rapid expenditure of energy than 

 at other times, and this means so far a lowering of digestive 

 capacity when food is given. Hence it is, that irregularity 

 and want of uniformity in feeding are always followed by 

 results not entirely satisfactory. 



Water for domestic animals. Water is furnished to 

 domestic animals for the three-fold purpose of aiding the 

 digestive processes, cooling the body and allaying thirst. 

 Of these uses, the first is probably the most important. Be- 

 fore food can be digested that portion of the nutrients ap- 

 propriated by the body must first be reduced to a soluble 

 condition before they can be so utilized and to effect this 

 end, water is usually necessary in addition to that contained 

 in the food. Where the supply of water is insufficient for 

 the needs of the body, the tissues are not kept sufficiently 

 moist, nor is there enough to maintain proper action in the 

 excretory glands of the skin, consequently the temperature 

 rises and thirst is induced in proportion as the water supply 

 is insufficient. In hot weather, water applied externally 

 to the bodies of swine tends to cool the same in a marked 

 degree and is, therefore, conductive to thrift. 



Thirst is always present when the supply of water is 

 insufficient. It is a source of irritation and unrest. It also 

 hinders more or less the digestive processes and so far 

 hinders performance. When animals become thirsty be- 

 yond certain limits, they drink abnormal amounts of water 



