108 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



Grains and malt sprouts the latter containing nearly six times more 

 nitrogenous matter than exists in the grains themselves are exceed- 



o 



ingly useful for horses when given in small quantities mixed with other 

 food. They constitute a grateful change and stimulate the appetite of 

 delicate feeders; and as they contain a considerable quantity of carbo- 

 hydrates, besides some fatty matter, they are likely to prove beneficial to 

 horses in poor condition, whether in consequence of excessive work or from 

 an attack of a debilitating disease. Dried grains have recently come into 

 use, and they, as a matter of course, having got rid of a large proportion 

 of the water, of which between 70 and 80 per cent exists in the grain, 

 may be looked upon as a somewhat concentrated food. 



Maize. When first introduced into this country it was used somewhat 

 extensively by omnibus companies and in other large horse establishments, 

 on account of its low price in comparison with that of oats, for which it was 

 substituted. By the Paris Omnibus Company it is reported to have been 

 found to be equal in digestibility to an equivalent quantity of oats. Experi- 

 ments made in the army, as recorded by Colonel F. Smith, were not 

 altogether favourable, as it appeared that in whatever proportion it was 

 substituted for oats, there was a diminution in muscle and energy. Five 

 thousand two hundred army horses were fed, in Austria, partly on maize 

 for six months, and it is stated that, although they improved as regards 

 their coats, they lost energy and sweated profusely at work. It is said to 

 be largely used in America and South Africa for feeding purposes, and it 

 does not appear that in those countries the objections which have been 

 raised to its use as a substitute for oats exist, at least they have not 

 been mentioned. 



Maize contains less nitrogenous matter than oats, but it is extremely 

 rich in fat and also in salts. It is difficult to masticate on account of 

 its extreme hardness, and it is, therefore, absolutely essential that it should 

 be submitted to some sort of preparation before being used, even if it is 

 intended to be mixed with other food. The difficulty of mastication is, to 

 some extent, disposed of by crushing. This process is certainly indispens- 

 able. Without it it is hardly possible that maize could be digested, even 

 by ruminating animals. An opportunity occurred lately of noting the con- 

 dition of this grain in the digestive organs of some deer, which were fed on 

 mixed food in addition to the grass which they consumed. The mixture 

 consisted of chaff, with chopped roots and maize uncrushed. A considerable 

 number of the animals died during the season, after wasting. There was no 

 reason, however, to suspect that they had suffered from indigestion; in fact, 

 it was ascertained that they died from parasitic disease; but it was noticed 

 that the maize, even in the fourth stomach, had escaped the action of the 



