382 THE FEEDING OF ANIMALS 



and even then the dam suckling a large litter of young 

 will grow thin. 



475. Pigs unwisely fed. — If we merely consider the 

 nature of the body substance of swine in its relation to 

 the constructive functions of the nutrients, it would not 

 be imreasonable to believe that rations with a wide 

 nutritive ratio are adapted to the needs of this class of 

 animals for growth. In a certain sense, practice ratifies 

 this view. Thousands of fat hogs have been the product 

 of almost exclusive corn-feeding, especially diu"ing the 

 later stages of growth. There is no doubt but that large 

 size and an excessively fat condition may be secured 

 through a liberal supply of carbohydrate material, but 

 such one-sided nutrition is not now regarded as being 

 adapted to the physiological requirements of the pig or 

 as producing pork which meets the existing demands 

 of the market. 



It is doubtful whether any other species of domestic 

 animal has been the subject of so much abuse through 

 improper feeding, combined with 3,n unhealthful environ- 

 ment, as has the pig. We now regard the abnormal 

 masses of porcine fat which have heretofore appeared in 

 our markets as not only an exhibition of physical mon- 

 strosities, but as not serving the health interests of the 

 human family. 



476. Point of view in feeding pigs. — ^The primary 

 object in feeding pigs should be, as with all domestic 

 animals, the securing of a normal and vigorous physio- 

 logical development, i. e., an organism with a strong 

 bony structure and with such a growth of muscular tissue 

 as shall insiu*e full exercise of all the vital functions. The 

 view seems to have prevailed, in a practical way at least, 

 that pigs can be fed on anything, live and sleep anywhere, 



