118 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



ANALYSIS OF ENSILAGE. 



Water 71-42 



Volatile acid (calculated as acetic acid) ... ... ... ... -28 



Non-volatile acid (calculated as lactic acid) ... ... ... ... -42 



Albuminous compounds ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3-17 



Indigestible woody fibre ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 9-33 



Digestible cellular fibre ... ... 10*39 



Soluble carbohydrates, extractive matter, &c. ... ... ... ... 2 '53 



Mineral matter 2'46 



ICXHX) 



Both tables may be usefully compared with the table showing the 

 analysis of hay at p. 111. 



DIGESTION 



Selection and preparation of food will be materially assisted by the 

 knowledge of the physiological processes connected with the digestion 

 of different kinds of provender. Very interesting experiments were per- 

 formed by the celebrated French physiologist Colin, and Colonel Fred. 

 Smith remarks that some of them he can fully bear out from his own 

 observations. To avoid any mistakes, it will be advisable to quote the 

 statements as they occur in the description which is given of the results 

 of these experiments by the French physiologist. No details are given 

 as to the methods which were adopted, and the critical reader may be 

 expected to wonder how some of the facts given could have been ascer- 

 tained. 



The time occupied in digestion by the stomach of the horse is in 

 proportion to the amount of nitrogen contained in the food if hay be 

 given before oats the hay will occupy one part (greater curvature) and 

 the oats another part (lesser curvature) of the stomach. If the oats be 

 given first they are deposited in the greater curvature, and the hay in 

 the lesser curvature of the stomach. The two foods in both cases remain 

 distinct until the mass reaches the pyloric end of the stomach, from 

 which the intestine arises. According to Colin's experiments it is best 

 to give the hay first and then the corn, otherwise the corn is sent into 

 the intestine before being fully acted upon in the stomach. 



The arrangement of food in the stomach in layers is disturbed by 

 the swallowing of a large quantity of water. This disturbance does not 

 occur, however, by the taking of a small quantity of water. Assuming 

 this statement to be true, and it certainly seems to be perfectly reason- 

 able, it affords a strong argument in favour of the usual practice in the 

 best stables of always having water in the trough within the animal's 

 reach. 



