340 Influence of Inanition on Metabolism. 



peristalsis, if not, indeed, to a flow of digestive juices which would compare 

 with many normal diets, and hence the fecal products are not necessarily 

 representative of an absolute fast. The use of an insoluble material requires 

 the separation to be made in many instances with the aid of the microscope, 

 and it is probably true that the most reliable information regarding the nature 

 of feces is furnished us by this instrument. In the fasting feces of Cetti, studied 

 by Mueller, numerous tobacco fibers resulting from the large number of 

 cigarettes consumed by this subject, were found throughout the whole mass. 

 Knowing as we do the irritating or stimulating action of undigested cellulose 

 in inducing peristalsis and consequent abrasion of epithelial debris, it is to be 

 questioned whether feces which have been produced under conditions favoring 

 the presence of cellulose material in quantities even so slight as those necessar- 

 ily resulting from the small amount of cigarette tobacco involuntarily swal- 

 lowed are, strictly speaking, fasting feces. 



In a number of experiments the attempt has been made to separate the feces 

 by means of high enemata. It is a well-known fact that enemata of this nature 

 frequently mix the contents of the bowel in such a manner that an accurate 

 separation is precluded. Furthermore, when the total possible amount of the 

 fasting feces is taken into consideration, it is clear that any method of 

 separation as gross as that involved in the use of enemata is without actual 

 value. 



Quantitative factors. In spite of the difficulties of isolating fasting feces, 

 a number of investigators have attempted to separate feces that might be 

 ascribed to the fasting period. It is of interest to observe the quantitative 

 relations of these necessarily imperfectly separated amounts. Obviously the 

 sharpest separation of fasting feces would be expected in the longest experi- 

 ments. 



Of the prolonged fasts, that of Succi (4) in Florence furnishes the most 

 satisfactory record of the collection of feces. During this fast feces were 

 passed for the first time on the 13th day. An enema was used. Luciani 

 attempted to secure a water content that would represent the normal and hence 

 dried the feces and injection water until the mass was of a pasty consistency. 

 In this form the feces weighed 117 grams. On the 16th day 2 grams of a 

 pasty material were obtained as the result of an injection. On the 21st day 

 a small quantity of glucose was given with the water used in the enema and 

 the subject attempted to retain the water in the colon as long as possible 

 and thus permit the absorption of the glucose. One and a half hours after 

 the enema was taken a greenish yellow fluid with some particles of solid 

 feces was passed. The solid material, weighed in the pasty form, was 19 grams. 

 The last defecation during the 30-day experiment occurred on the 24th day. 

 The feces had little form and weighed in the pasty condition but 12 grams. 

 Thus during the 30 days the total weight of fecal matter estimated as of the 



