566 



Veterinary Obstetrics 



The composition of milk varies widely according to species and 

 individuality, the methods of feeding, the period of lactation, 

 and numerous other conditions. The following table by Vernois 

 and Becquerel gives a comparative idea of the composition of the 

 milk of various animals, the figures representing the amounts of 

 each constituent in looo parts of milk : 



Specific Gravity 1032.67 



Weight of Water 889.08 



Woman Cow Goat 



Weight of Solid Parts 



Fat 



Casein and Extractive Matters 

 Milk-sugar 



Salts (by incineration) 



110.92 

 26.66 

 39-24 



43-64 

 1.38 



1033-38 



S64.06 



135-94 



36.12 



55-15 



3''^-03 



6.64 



[033-53 

 844.90 

 155-10 

 56.87 

 55-14 

 36.91 

 6.18 



Sheep Camel 



1040.98, 

 832.32 

 167.68 



51.31 

 69.78 



39-43 

 7.16 



134-00 

 36.00 

 40.00 

 58.00 



Mare 



Ass 



Specific Gravity 1033.74 



Weight of Water 904.30 



Weight of Solid Parts 95,70 



Fat 24.36 



Casein and Extractive Matters 33-35 



Milk-sugar 32.76 



Salts (by incineration) 5.23 



Sow 1 Bitch 



1034-57 



890. 1 2 



109.88 



18.53 



35-65 



, 50.46 



5-24, 



1041.62 



Cows which give a large volume of milk may do so at the ex- 

 pen.se of the solid constituents, and especially of the butter fat. 

 Thus one cow, which yields a very large amount of milk, may 

 show only 2 or 3 % of butter fat, while another, which yields a 

 much less amount of milk, may show 6 to 7 % of butter fat. 



Generally speaking, the milk of the smaller domestic animals 

 is richer in ca.sein and fat than that of the larger species. The 

 milk of the mare, compared with the milk of other animals, is 

 very rich in sugar. 



The milk of carnivora is exceedingly rich in casein and fat, so 

 that, while it is not abtindant, it nevertheless has a very high 

 nutritive value, as is well shown by the exceedingly rapid growth 

 of their new-born young. On the other hand, the milk of 

 carnivora is said to contain almost no sugar, which is in marked 

 contrast to that of other animals. 



