CHAPO^ER VIII. 



THE CHEMISTRY OF THE ANIMAL BODY. 



The compounds present in the body of an animal are numerous, 

 and in many cases, very complex. Only a very brief and super- 

 ficial survey of the principal ones can be made here. The 

 elements present in animal tissues are the same as those found in 

 vegetable matter, but their relative proportions differ materially. 

 Calcium, phosphoric acid, fluorine, chlorine and sodium appear 

 to be of much more importance to animals than to plants. 

 The constituents of the animal body may be divided into.: 



1. Inorganic compounds, including water, various acids, 

 and numerous salts : some in the solid state — e.g., calcium 

 phosphate ; others in solution — e.g.^ sodium chloride. 



2. Organic compounds — 



. . X xT-j. fProteids — e.g.. albumin. 



(A) Nitrogenous |Amides-e.^V"rea. 



(B) Non-nitrogenous {carbohydrates. 



According to Lawes and Gilbert, the composition of the 

 whole bodies of various animals is, on the average : 



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