FOOD 123 



diminish as the animal passes from the lean to the fat 

 state. 



The dry substance of the food of the ox contains a larger 

 proportion of indigestible matter than that of sheep, and 

 that of sheep more than that of pigs. Oxen require from 

 five to six, and sheep from three to four times as much 

 time to add a given proportion to the weight of their bodies 

 as pigs. 



The greater part of the nitrogenous and mineral matter 

 of the food is recovered in the manure, and the greater 

 part of the non-nitrogenous substance is lost by respiration 

 and other exhalations ; a much smaller proportion being re- 

 tained in the increase or voided in the manure. For a given 

 amount of increase produced, oxen void considerably more 

 substance as manure, and expend more in respiration, etc., 

 than sheep, and sheep very much more than pigs. For a 

 given weight of dry substance consumed, oxen void more as 

 manure than sheep, and sheep very much more than pigs ; 

 but oxen respire rather less than sheep, and sheep rather 

 less than pigs. 



The manurial value of foods is not a hygienic point, but 

 one closely connected with agriculture ; practically it is 

 found that if one food yields a richer manure than another 

 it is the cheapest to feed on (though it may be more expen- 

 sive to buy), for the reason that so much of it is returned 



again to the soil. 



Cattle. 



According to Wolff the first thing with lean oxen in- 

 tended for fattening is to put their system in good order, 

 by beginning with a diet -of somewhat high albuminous 

 ratio, viz. clover hay, barley or bean-meal, and oil-cake. 



After two or three weeks the fattening can begin, the 

 albuminoid ratio is lowered by the addition of digestible 

 carbo-hydrates, with the result that the destruction of 

 proteid under the higher nitrogenous diet is suspended; 

 proteid will now be stored up, and shortly fat. Fat can 

 only be put on when the proteid tissues have been pre- 

 viously prepared by extra nourishment and renewal. 



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