Observations on the effect of feeding sheep on a lime deficient diet and the limitations of our knowledge

Abstract

Much work has been done during the last ten or twenty years on the mineral requirements of farm animals, and it is well that stock should be taken of our knowledge from time to time in an endeavour to obtain a true perspective of the progress which any advances provide. This paper will be restricted to a discussion of the lime requirements of sheep-. Both to the research worker, and to those who are to-day interested in applying the results of research work many questions will occur. They will ask "What progress has been made during the last fifty years concerning knowledge of the functions of lime in the animal body?" The reply would be "Not very much." Or they may ask "Just how much lime should a sheep receive in its food per day, per week or over the whole year?" One must answer "It is not known. Nobody knows," Or, finally, it may be asked, "Will it ever be possible to state definitely the quantities which should be present in the food of the animal?" And to this the answer is "It is doubtful if the answer will ever be known." Among those interested in the research side of nutritional problems there may be some who will disagree with these views, but evidence will be produced to show that there are grounds for the pessimistic line of thought suggested. Let us deal with the first question.