96 



VETEEINAEY HYGIENE 



minous to non-albuminous nitrogen in the chief feeding 

 stuffs : — 



Nitrogen in Food Stuffs expressed as Albuminoid and Non- 

 Albuminoid. 



It has been previously stated that a diet without nitrogen 

 is one of starvation, this is evidence of the paramount 

 necessity of proteid. Yet so complex is the subject of 

 nutrition, that in spite of elaborate observations carried on 

 for years, we have got very little nearer to a clear concep- 

 tion of the real use of proteid in food. 



We quite understand that it builds up the proteid and fat 

 tissues of the body, and so forms muscle, fat, wool, and 

 milk. But strange as it may appear, it is not the source of 

 muscular energy, though without nitrogen effective muscular 

 work becomes impossible. 



The suggested explanation of the paramount necessity of 

 proteid in a diet, is that it determines the absorption of 

 oxygen, without which no energy is possible. This explana- 

 tion is, however, imperfect. 



There are certain clearly ascertained facts in connection 

 with proteids : — 



1. It is very extravagant, and with most animals impos- 

 sible, to feed with proteid exclusively. By doing so part of 

 the proteid has to be utilized in the production of fat, and 

 fat produced from proteid is extravagant. 



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