156 SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. April, 1921. 



They combine immediatelj', although only partly with to sulfuric-, phosphoric and hydrochloric acids, and also 



the basic constituents of pi-otoplasm, intercellular lymph the number of cubic centimeters of normal alkali per 



and blood. 100 grams of feed to which the basic elements are equi- 



. . , . „ valent when considered as hydroxide. 



Under conditions of great cellular activity and msut- ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^. ^^^^^.^ ^^ ^^^ ^^j^g^. ^^.^^^ ^f gjg. 



ficient oxygen supply, intermediate products of met- ^^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ determined by simple subtraction. Such 



abolism of an acidic character as lactic acid, may be fj ^^.^^ f^^, ^-onunon feeding stuffs are given in Talile I. 



produced faster than they can be removed by oxidation, ^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^ .^ .^ ^^.^^^^ ^^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ 



and thus claim their share of base. products as a class are distinctly acid feeds when com- 



During fasting, or certain pathological conditions as pietely metabolized, 



diabetis, quantities of beta-oxybutyric and aceto acetic Roughages — especially the leguminous hays possess 



acids (representing incomplete oxidation of fatty acids ^^^ alkaline ash— and therefore in this respect as in 



and amino acids), accumulate in the tissues and fluids many others are natural supplements to cereal pro- 



and combine with their basic constituents. In these ^ucts. 



ways the processes of normal metaboli.sm steadily oper- ^^ ^j^^ nitrogenous concentrates— linseed oil meal 



ate to lower the alkaline reaction of the body and to ^^^ssesses an alkaline ash, while cottonseed meal pos- 



diminish its potential alkalinity. ggg^^g ^^ ^^^^ ^^^ The ash of milk is alkaline. 



The excretion of NaCl m urine is largely influenced mi, • fj? ^ <• * t <.■ * • • ^ c 

 by the water intake. An increased consumption of water The eifect of feeding rations containing an exce^^s 

 flushes out NaCl from the body, while a retention of of acid-forming or base-forming elements on metabol- 

 NaCl results from a diminished water intake. ^^^ ^as illustrated in Wisconsin Expermients. (Re- 

 in steers, phosphorus may be excreted entirely with search ±!ul. dbj. 

 the feces. In cows during lactation, the urine is gen- A pig fed a ration wlucli had distinct excess of acid- 

 erally very poor in salts of all kinds except potassium forming over base-forming elements resulted in the 

 salts. Apparently the mineral elements which, under urine being distinctly acid and possessing a high eon- 

 other conditions would be excreted in the urine, are tent of ammonia. 



diverted to the mammarv gland. As alfalfa hay was added to rations, it brought up 



The mineral metabolism of a cow fed corn, linseed oil the proportion of base-forming elements and conse- 



meal, clover hay and corn silage follows. (Figures from quently the urine was much less acid and contained 



OhioBul. 295) "Milk production was 47 lbs daily). smaller quantities of ammonia. 



Na K Ca Mg S CI P 



Feed .... 16.87 114.70 51.5-2 29.47 18.72 24.57 29.27 



Milk " 7.21 27.92 16.47 2.03 5.16 14.19 14.22 



Urine . 1.25 68.80 .01 7.31 3.05 .55 .10 



Feces " 2.03 20.12 49.71 24.09 10.16 8.16 16.78 



Balance +6.39 —2.14 —14.68 —3.95 -fO.34 +1.67 —1.84 



Most of the ash of such urines consists of K and Na Rations decidedly high in base-forming elements 



carbonates. The low content of chlorine in urines in produced urine of low acidity and of low ammonia 



spite of the ingestion 28 grams of NaCl per day is note- content. 



worthy. In this experiment the cow is drawing u])on When the alkalinity mechanism of the body is placed 

 her skeleton continuously for calcium, magnesium and under heavy loads so that it does not operate efficient- 

 phosphorus, ly, a condition of acidosis results — in which the poten- 



Three years work upon the mineral metabolism of tial alkalinity of the body may be dangerously reduced 



the dairy cow lead Forbes of Ohio to conclude : — — and even the hydrogen ion concentration of the 



(A) Irrespective of large intake of calcium, this ele- blood increased appreciably, 



ment was eliminated in ([uantities greater than were j,j acidosis the CO, carrying power of bhiod is much 



contained in the feed. There is but slight evidence that reduced and if the condition becomes progressively 



the precipitated bone flour or calcium lactate or CaCl„ worse, death from asphyxiation may result. A condi- 



added to the rations were utilized. tion of acidosis is detected by the following: 



The strain to which the mechanism for maintaining (j) Excessive content of ammonium salts in urine, 



body alkalinity is placed under ordinary conditions (2) Subnormal tension of CO.. in alveolar air of 



is determined by the character of the food Avhich the i^ngs, resulting in smaller quantities of CO., in alveolar 



body is receiving. air of lungs, from tissue. 



If the ration gives rise to equivalent amounts of basic PART TT 



and acidic radicles in metabolism, the body is under lAKi li, 



no necessity to call into play special mechanisms. If How to Fred Minerals to Livestock. 

 the ration gives rise to excess acidic radicles over basic 



ones, the kidnev must cope with the acid. The supply of minerals in rations of livestock de- 



If the ration supplies excess basic radicles the excess mands attention for various reasons. Rations are poor 



base appears in the urine as carboAates. in minerals because : 



In determining whether a feeding stuff is acidic or (1) They contain a large proportion of grains which 



basic, in the sense that it will give rise to excess of acidic have low mineral content. 



and basic radicles it is analysed for:— (1) Acid ele- (2)They may contain roughages produced on iinpov- 



ments, phosphorus, sulfur and chlorine, (2) Basic ele- erished infertile soil which is low in minerals, 



ments^ sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. (3) Sometimes commercial feeds are substituted for 



It is then determined by calculation the number of natural feeds rich in minerals, 



cubic centimeters of normal acid per 100 grams of feed The advent of pure bred live stock selected for earli- 



to which the acid elements are equivalent, when oxidized nes>= of maturity and thickness of flesh has increased 



