20 MANUAL OF CATTLE-FEBDIKG. 



§ 4 Inorganic, or InTon-tolatilb Matters. 



Amount. — The total quantity of the inorganic portion, 

 or ash, of the animal body is, in round nmnberSj 



In neat cattle 4-5 per cent, of tlie live weight. 



^'slxeep 2.8-3.5 '' 



'*swine 18-3.0 '' " '' 



In lean animals the amount approaches the maximum, 

 in fat animals the minimum. Phosphoric acid and lime are 

 present in about equal proportions and make up togotlier 

 about four-fifths of the total quantity of ash, while the other 

 fifth consists of potash, soda, magnesia, chlorine, sulphuric 

 acid, carbonic acid, and, to a very minute extent, of silica. 



The sulphur, mentioned above as forming part of all 

 the important nitrogenous substances of the body, is not 

 included in the ash. 



In the bones, as is well-known, the quantity of mineral 

 matter (bone-ash) is especially gi*eat, and amounts, on the 

 average, in a full-grown animal, to about two-thirds of the 

 dry, fat-free substance of the bones. 



Immediately after birth, the dried bones contain only 

 about 50 per cent., and in advanced age often as much as 

 75 per cent, of ash. The outer and more solid layers are 

 always richer in ash than the inner and porous parts, es- 

 pecially in the hollow bones. At least seven-eighths of the 

 total bone-ash is phosphate of lime, tlie remainder is car- 

 bonate of lime with small quantities of magnesia, fluoiino, 

 and soda. 



Besides phosphoric acid and lime, the most important 

 inorganic constituents of the body are potasli, soda, and 

 chloxdne (the two latter generally combined to form chlo- 

 ride of sodium or common salt). 



Need of a Continual Supply. — The quantity of these 



