METABOLISM AND FOOD 97 



main small, and finally the animal is unable to move. 

 On examining the bones of such miserably grown 

 animals it is seen that the parts, notably on the 

 ends of the joints, are composed of soft cartilage 

 in which lime and phosphoric acid are only slightly 

 deposited. Animals in this condition are said to be 

 suffering from softening of the bones or osteo- 

 malacia, in children known as rickets. Amongst 

 domestic animals, young pigs fed upon potatoes, 

 whey, maize, and cereal grains, and so not obtaining 

 enough lime in the food, are most liable to suffer. 

 This softening of the bones is found less frequently 

 in young cattle, horses, or sheep, for the hay and 

 other fodder which they get generally contains 

 sufficient phosphoric acid and lime. Amongst 

 grown animals the females are more liable to 

 brittleness of the bones, for they have to supply 

 the foetus with mineral substances in addition to 

 the phosphoric acid and lime that go into the milk. 

 It is essential then in feeding to pay attention to 

 these points, and to provide a sufficient supply of 

 both these substances in the food. 



Feeding-stuffs which are deficient in lime are 

 the straw and chaff of cereals, cereals and their 

 by-products, such as brans and meals, malt coombs, 

 and also roots and molasses. On the other hand, 

 foods which contain a good supply of lime are 

 clovers, meadow hay, and many leguminous seeds. 

 With regard to deficiency in phosphoric acid, the 



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