LECTURE XXIV 

 FOOD AND WATER 



Food. — Food may be a factor in animal disease when it is 

 excessive in amount, insnt^cient, too concentrated, too coarse, 

 bulk}', and innutritions for the animal that receives it; when it 

 is poor in quality, when given in a poorly balanced ration or at 

 irregular or improper intervals, or to a very tired or hot ani- 

 mal ; when carrying vegetable or animal parasites, or when sud- 

 denly changed, as from poor to rich pasture ; and when poi- 

 sonous. 



Excessive amount results in azoturia, heaves, colic, etc., among 

 horses ; and in milk fever, etc., among cows. It favors the de- 

 velopment of all febrile diseases. Only a certain amount of 

 food can be absorbed or used ; the remainder causes trouble. 



Deficiency predisposes to all diseases that are favored by a 

 lessened vitality. The deficiency may be total, or there may be 

 one or more special deficiencies, for example, deticiency of vita- 

 min}?, which are essential to normal growth, and health ; or de- 

 ficiency of certain mineral matters, the lack of which impairs 

 growth and development of framework. Such animals, particu- 

 larly hogs, tend to "go down." Lack of iodin for the pregnant 

 sow i)roduces pigs that are born without hair, weak and with 

 goiter. Glanders and similar diseases are especially apt to oc- 

 cur, or to increase in severity, among horses that are poorly fed. 

 Deficiency in mineral matters predisposes toward certain dis- 

 eases of bone. Deficiency of albumin results in loss of energy 

 and strength, and animals so fed are apt to be languid and 

 weak. 



Coarse, hulkij, and innutritimis food may cause colic, indiges- 

 tion, heaves and impactions, particularly in animals with small 

 stomachs, as the horse. 



Poor quality, hay cut too ripe or that has been rained on after 

 cut, light oats, etc., causes tlie same disorders as deficienc}', and 

 also favors colic, impactions, and anemia. 



119 



