THE FOOD VALUE OF FISH 123 



It has been shown recently that edible fish contain 

 vitamins. Vitamins are complex chemical compounds 

 of hitherto unknown composition, and of little under- 

 stood properties, that occur in minute quantities in a 

 great variety of natural food stuffs. These vitamins 

 appear to be essential to healthy animal existence. 

 Without them, the body rapidly becomes attacked by 

 certain diseases, e.g. rickets, beri-beri, scurvy, and 

 unless this deficiency of the diet is corrected, death soon 

 follows. Three different vitamins have been discovered, 

 known as vitamins A, B, and C. Vitamin A is con- 

 tained in the oily part of most fish, while Vitamin B is 

 present in certain fish roes. 



