Miscellaneous Studies — Nutrition Problems. 



101 



cretion of soap brings about a heavy loss from the body of alka- 

 line bases, such as soda, potash, lime, etc., which, if continued, re- 

 sults in disturbed nutrition. On an exclusive diet of milk con- 

 taining about 3.5 per ct. fat, the supply of alkaline bases is only 

 sufficient for normal development. Milk that is rich in fat does 

 not likewise contain proportionally more of the alkaline bases, for 

 man has bred and selected cows only to meet the demands for 

 more milk and for that which is richer in fat. 



123a. Growth under adverse conditions. — At the Missouri Sta- 

 tion^ Waters kept 15 steers, varying from fat show animals to those 

 in ordinary farm condition, for long periods of time on rations 

 sufficient for maintenance. Below are given the results obtained 

 v.'ith 4 yearling steers kept at constant body weight : 



Growth of steers maintained at constant hody weight. 



The table shows that in each ease there was a marked increase 

 in the height of the animal at the withers, the length of head, and 

 the depth of chest, denoting a growth of the skeleton. The de- 

 crease in width of chest shows a thinning of the flesh covering the 

 skeleton, indicating that the stored fat was reabsorbed or with- 

 drawn from the tissues in the effort to continue growth on insuffi- 

 cient food. Examination of the fat cells of these animals showed 

 a uniform reduction in their size as compared with those of animals 

 receiving liberal rations. 



After a feeding trial lasting 6 months in which one steer was 

 liberally fed, one given a maintenance ration, and another fed less 

 than enough to maintain its weight, chemical analysis of the fatty 

 tissues showed the composition given in the table. 



The table shows that while the withdrawal of stored fat had 

 not progressed far enough to use up all the fat of the body, a de- 

 cided emptying of the fat cells had occurred, the fatty tissues of 



^ Proc. Soc. Prom. Agr. Sci., 1908. 



