VEGETABLE FOODS. 39 



of the bowels, and contribute towards the maintenance of 

 the integrity of the blood. 



It is scarcely necessary to add that when used they 

 should be as fresh and free from taint as those on the 

 table, and that no reliance should be placed upon them as 

 supports, the fact being kept in mind that to dogs they 

 afford but very little nourishment. 



Of the farinaceous substances or bread-stuffs, called, 

 also, starchy foods, for the reason that starch is the chief 

 constituent of them all, those commonly fed to dogs are 

 wheat, oats, maize or Indian corn, and rice. 



Were it best that that kind of food only should be used 

 which embraces in a given quantity the greatest amount 

 of nutrition, then all but animal foods might be dispensed 

 with ; but economy aside, obviously the nutritious and unnu- 

 tritious kinds should be used together, otherwise as the 

 average dog of to-day is placed his digestive organs would 

 be likely to break down in time ; and even did this not 

 occur, good form and condition would scarcely be possible. 

 Admitting this, which is certainly within reason, the 

 starchy substances must be accepted as good articles 

 of diet when used in conjunction with other and more: 

 nutritious foods. 



Of these substances wheat is of the highest value, con- 

 taining as it does the most flesh-forming and energy-pro- 

 ducing materials, and although it deserves consideration? 

 merely as an accessory food it has been shown by experi- 

 ment that dogs can subsist upon it alone for a long time 

 and retain health and vigor, provided they are allowed all 

 parts of the grain. But they could not do this on wheat 

 as generally set before them — that is, as white bread, 

 which for them is far from being a "staff of life." In 

 fact it is practically valueless except as a vehicle for, or 

 to give substance to, other and rich foods which might 



