26 



FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



(sucrase, maltase, and lactase) change cane sugar, malt sugar, and 

 milk sugar into the simpler glucose-like sugars. 



Due to the vigorous action of the enzymes in the small intestine, 

 digestion is very thoro and under ordinary conditions little that is 

 useful is lost. The larger portion of all the digested matter is absorbed 

 from the small intestine, thus entering the body proper, as is shown 

 later in this chapter. 



The large intestine. — From the small intestine the undigested 

 material passes into the large intestine. Little, if any, digestive fluid 

 is produced here, but a small amount of digestion may go on owing to 

 digestive enzymes carried in from the small intestine and to the action 

 of bacteria. The bacteria may not only attack cellulose but also may 

 cause the putrefaction of undigested protein, in which action foul- 

 smelling substances are formed which are poisonous if absorbed in 

 large quantities. The waste, or feces, is finally expelled from the 

 large intestine. Besides undigested matter, the feces contain residues 

 of the digestive juices and countless bacteria or their remains. If 

 the large intestine is not functioning normally, the contents may 

 remain for an undue time, and excessive putrefaction may take place, 

 injuring the animal thru the absorption of the poisonous products 

 formed. 



Special provision for the horse. — As has been mentioned before, the 

 horse has a large caecum, or blind gut, in partial compensation for its 



small stomach and lack of 

 a paunch. The incom- 

 pletely digested matter 

 from the small intestine, 

 together with the enzymes 

 mixed with it, passes into 

 the caecum. Here the en- 

 zyme action continues and 

 the cellulose of the feed is 

 also attacked and digested 

 by bacteria, as in the 

 paunch of ruminants. 

 Due to this, the horse is 

 able to digest such feeds 

 as hay and straw quite 

 thoroly, tho less com- 

 pletely than can cattle 

 and sheep. 



Palatability. — The palatability of feeds is a factor of no small 

 mportance in the feeding of stock. Experiments have shown that the 



Fig. 9. — Caecum of Horse 



The entrance of the small intestine is desig- 

 nated ( I ) . The opening of the caecum into the 

 large intestine is hidden from view. ( From Sis- 

 son, "Anatomy of the Domestic Animals.") 



