Cereals and Rickets

Abstract

THE calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D requirements of the growing chick have been the subject of much research. The literature reveals no fixed nor generally applicable value for the amounts of Ca and P required nor for the proportion in which these elements must be present in a chick ration. Hart and associates (1927 pointed out that the Ca/P ratio could vary within certain wide limits, at least to a value of 7:1, without affecting growth or bone development, provided that generous amounts of the antirachitic factor were supplied. Bethke, Kennard, Kick, and Zinzalian (1929) stated that “the optimum, or near optimum, ratio of calcium to phosphorous for the growing chick lies between 3:1 and 4:1.” They also pointed out that, within certain limits, the ratio of Ca/P was more important than the amount of these elements in the ration. Massengale (1929) reported that a rachitogenic diet low in Ca . . .