MALNUTRITION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 April 1940, Page 9

MALNUTRITION

EFFECT OF UNSUITABLE FOOD. FINDING PERFECT DIETARY. That unsuitable feeding may predispose to disease is no new idea, but although great progress has been made in the study of ‘’deficiency diseases." the information available is still very incomplete and in some details conflicting. Investigation has hitherto been largely concentrated upon the study of the effects of deficiencies of minerals and vitamins, but evidence is accumulating of the existence of other factors present in natural foodstuffs that will eventually have to be taken into account in the formulation of the perfect dietary. Troubles arising in farm practice from dietary deficiencies are largely associated with the "improvement’’ of breeds and the intensification of systems of production. Broadly speak-

Ing, Lilt? TIOLIUieS dIC ItlclbL bCI IULIo LlilCld extensive systems, such as ranching, or other systems in which only a relatively low level of production is secured. Even ranching methods, however, do not guarantee freedom from trouble, since over large areas of the world, especially in South Africa and Australia, the natural pasture does not supply sufficient phosphorus for full and healthy growth, especially in the case of modern breeds of stock. When we pass from open range to restricted grazing, the risk of deficiency troubles is increased, and still more when we pass to indoor systems of stock raising. The acme of risk is thus attained in some of our systems of pig and poultry keeping. Practical experience suggests that although these highly intensive methods may be applied with comparative safety to animals that are to be killed at an early age. they certainly cannot yet be commended for the raising and subsequent management of breeding stock. The precursor of vitamin A, carotene, is the most important vitamin in green plants. It is destroyed by oxidation. In hay it is almost completely lost.