THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 247 



valuable as a remedial agent for a carnivorous than for a her- 

 bivorous animal. 



As I understand the complex theory of digestion, the value 

 of food or remedial agents is in exact ratio to their adaptation 

 for assimilation ; so that if their elements are only held in 

 union by an uncomplex chemical affinity, as is the case with all 

 vegetable productions known as food, their solution is easily 

 and promptly effected by the ordinary process of insalivation, 

 mastication, and remastication ; but bone meal (a popular 

 remedy) is actually an animal production, — vegetable matter 

 animalized, — and in order to convert the same into the com- 

 ponent parts of the cow's structui^, it will perhaps require more 

 chemico-vital force to effect the solution, than when oatmeal, 

 etc., are used, the chemical affinity here being weaker than is 

 the case with bones. 



In the treatment of any and every disease, it is usual to en- 

 deavor to ascertain the direct causes, and if possible effect their 

 removal, and whatever seems to be indicated we are justified 

 in supplying ; so that if phosphates are indicated, they may be 

 prescribed ; yet in cases of emaciation, when weakness and de- 

 bility preside, I should prefer to use nutritious food, tonics, and 

 stimulants, instead of bone meal. Why not add the bone 

 meal to the barnyard manure ? In this way the animal would 

 get the benefit of it in the form of fodder. 



In reference to a deficiency of phosphate of lime in the 

 milk, which the writers alluded to have noticed, I remark that 

 it may, in part, arise from functional derangement in the diges- 

 tive organs (in such cases a large quantity of phosphate, etc., 

 is expelled from the system in the excrement), or the fodder 

 itself may be deficient in its usual yield of phosphate of lime. 

 We then have an evidence of vegetable disease, for I believe 

 that th^ phosphate of lime is as necessary for the growth and 

 integrity of the plant as it seems to be for the same purposes 

 in the animal kingdom. 



But I believe that the plant cannot lack phosphates without 

 there being a corresponding deficiency in several other constitu- 



