566 



Veterinary Obstetrics 



The composition of milk varies widely according to species and 

 individuality, the methods of. feeding, the period of lactation, 

 and numerous other conditions. The following table by Vernois 

 and Becquerel gives a comparative idea of the composition of the 

 milk of various animals, the figures representing the amounts of 

 each constituent in looo parts of milk : 



Specific Gravity 



Weight of Water 



Weight of Solid Parts 



Fat 



Casein and Extractive Matters 



Milk-sugar 



Salts (by incineration) 



Woman 



1032.67 



889.08 



110.92 



26.66 



39-24 



43-64 



1.38 



Cow 



1033.38 

 864.06 



135.94 

 36.12 



55.15 



38.03 



6.64 



Goat 



1033-53 



844.90 



155-10 



56.87 



55.14 



36.91 



6.18 



Sheep 



1040.98 

 832.32 

 167.68 



51.31 

 69.78 



39-43 

 7.16 



Camel 



134.00 

 36.00 

 40.00 

 58.00 



Mare 



Ass 



Specific Gravity 



Weight of Water 



Weight of Solid Parts 



Fat 1 



Casein and Extractive Matters 



Milk-sugar 



Salts ( by incineration ) 



1033.74 



904.30 



95.70 



24.36 



33-35 

 32.76 



5-23 



1034.57 

 890. 12 

 109.88 



18.53 



35^65 



50.46 



5.24 



Cows which give a large volume of milk inay do so at the ex- 

 pense of the solid constituents, and especially of the butter fat. 

 Thus one cow, which yields a very large amount of milk, may 

 show only 2 or 3 % of butter fat, while another, which yields a 

 much less amount of milk, may show 6 to 7 % of butter fat. 



Generally speaking, the milk of the smaller domestic animals 

 is richer in casein and fat than that of the larger species. The 

 milk of the mare, compared with the milk of other animals, is 

 very rich in sugar. 



The milk of carnivora is exceedingly rich in casein and fat, so- 

 that, while it is not abundant, it nevertheless has a very high 

 nutritive value, as is well shown by the exceedingly rapid growth 

 of their new-born young. On the other hand, the milk of 

 carnivora is said to contain almost no sugar, which is in marked. 

 >contrast to that of other animals. 



