THE FOOD OF YOUNG ANIMALS 189 



to four hours, and in the case of ruminants and carnivores at least 

 five to six hours. These intervals apply to quite young animals, 

 living only on milk ; when they are older, and especially when other 

 substances are added to the diet, the intervals may be made still 

 longer. The important point to remember is that it is far better 

 to give too long an interval than too short a rest between meals. 

 In artificial feeding of young mammals, it is extremely necessary 

 that each meal should be given from perfectly fresh and clean 

 vessels, as the young are most sensitive to the slightest trace of 

 putrefaction. It is also useful, at least until the animals are fairly 

 strong and active, to give the milk as hot as they can take it without 

 being scalded. There are many forms of feeding bottles and arti- 

 ficial nipples used for young animals, but it is really preferable to 

 feed them with a spoon, an egg-spoon for very tiny things, and a 

 large kitchen spoon for larger animals. Spoon-feeding can be 

 made much more sanitary, as an open implement can be dis- 

 infected thoroughly, and it is more easy to regulate the quantity 

 and to prevent an eager little creature from choking than if it be 

 given a nipple. It is surprising how quickly almost any kind of little 

 mammal learns to be handled at feeding time, and to assist by 

 opening its mouth for each spoonful. Moreover this method 

 establishes a relation of confidence between the young animal and 

 its guardian which is often of the greatest use in case of sickness. 

 A small sick mammal often refuses to eat and still more to take 

 medicine, and if it is unaccustomed to be hand-fed, the struggle to 

 make it swallow is difficult and dangerous. If it has become 

 accustomed to have a towel put round it (a process that at first 

 frightens most older animals very much indeed), to have its mouth 

 opened and a spoon used, it will submit to this even when it is 

 well grown and capable of making a serious fight. Not only can 

 it be fed, but many little operations such as cutting claws, removing 

 milk-teeth, or applying disinfectants can be carried out without 

 binding or gagging, which, however skilfully performed, always 

 upset the patient. 



The four columns on the right of the Table show the relative 

 proportions of the chief substances in milk only in a very general 

 way. There are important minor differences in the nature 

 of the proteins, fats and sugars not only between the different 

 types but between the milks of different animals in the same type, 

 and there is no doubt but that its natural milk is the best food for 

 any animal. In cases of artificial feeding, however, this is usually 



