OF ANIMALS FED AND SLAUGHTERED AS HUMAN FOOD. 
869 
It was estimated that of* the total nitrogenous substance, and of the total fat, 
of the bodies of the animals, the following proportions would be consumed as human 
food :— 
Table III. 
Per cent, consumed as human food. 
Of the total nitrogenous 
Of the total fat of the 
compounds of the body. 
body. 
Calves.. 
60 
95 
Oxen. 
60 
80 
Lambs. 
50 
95 
Sheep . 
50 
75 
Pigs. 
78 
90 
Thus, not only do the bodies of the fattened animals contain much more fat 
than nitrogenous substance, but a much larger proportion of the total fat than of the 
total nitrogenous substance is estimated to be consumed as human food. It results 
that, taking the average of the fat and the very fat animals, nearly four times as much 
dry fat as dry nitrogenous substance would be so consumed. 
Finally, a comparison of the composition of the estimated consumable portions of 
the fattened animals, with that of wheat-flour bread, led to the conclusion that, 
taking into consideration the much higher oxidable capacity of the fat of the animal 
food than of the starch of the bread, the animal food contributed a considerably 
higher proportion of non-nitrogenous substance, reckoned as starch, to one of nitro¬ 
genous substance, than bread. We said ;—“It would appear to be unquestionable, 
therefore, that the influence of the introduction of our staple animal foods, to 
supplement our otherwise mainly farinaceous diet, is, on the large scale, to reduce, and 
not to increase, the relation of the assumed flesh-forming material, to the more 
peculiarly respiratory and fat forming capacity, so to speak, of the food consumed.” 
It was concluded that the admitted advantages of a mixed animal and vegetable 
diet were essentially connected with the amount, the condition, and the distribution 
of the fat in the animal portions of the food ; that concentration and digestibility 
were probably elements in the explanation of the facts ; that the liberal distribution 
of the ready-formed fat with the transforming nitrogenous matters throughout the 
body, will modify the character of the changes constantly going on ; and that the 
difference in the condition of the nitrogenous substance in the animal and vegetable 
foods, has also to be taken into account. 
Quantity and Composition of the Mineral Matter (Ash) in certain separated parts, and 
in the entire bodies , of the ten animals analysed. 
In our former paper the actual quantity of ash was given for the bones, and for 
certain soft parts separately, of the carcass ; also for each separate internal organ, and 
MDCCCLXXXIII. 5 T 
