38 "On the Formation of Fat 
this she experienced almost immediate relief; and, on the sub- 
sequent examination of what passed from the bowels, globular 
concretions were uniformly observed, which by the persons about 
her were considered as the gall-stones which had previously been 
productive of so much distress. This lady having occasion some 
months since to visit her friends in town, and a doubt having been 
suggested by one of her medical attendants in the country, as to 
the nature of the concretions in question, I was desirous, from 
the account that I had received, to have an opportunity of de- 
termining the point for myself; and therefore requested, that if 
the pain should recur, and she should be under the necessity of 
repeating her medicine, that the concretions, which had been 
said always to pass from the bowels in consequence of her so 
doing, might be reserved for my inspection. In a few days I was 
summoned to make my proposed visit ; and, upon examining the 
substances collected, 1 found their appearance to be such as I 
have already described to you, namely, that of distinct globules, 
varying in size from that of a large pea to the bulk of a moderate 
grape, of a cream cclour, and slightly translucent, of sufficient 
consistence to preserve their form, and to bear being cut by a 
knife, like soft wax, but at the points of their contact disposed 
to cohere. When exposed to heat, they readily melted, and then 
at once exhibited their original oily character. The change, 
which they have since experienced, has taken place in the water 
in which they have been kept. 
** T am, dear sir, 
** Yours always, very faithfully, 
(Signed) «© Wn. BABiNGTON.” 
To Sir Everard Home, Bart. 
Our associate, Mr. Brande, afterwards examined the substance, 
and made the following report upon it : 
“The globules voided appeared to be composed of. the olive 
oil combined with mucus: the latter separated during putrefac- 
tion, and the oil was evolved, apparently unaltered. The re- 
lative proportion may be estimated at one-third animal matter, 
and two-thirds vegetable oil.” 
The following case, which was also communicated to me by 
Dr. Babington, shows that fat is sometimes formed in the in- 
testines, and detected passing off with the feces : 
Hlizabeth Ryder, four years and a half old, had been healthy 
for six months after her birth, when she became thin, had a sal- 
low complexion, and was liable to jaundice. At a year anda | 
half old, her beily was tumid, and she had great weakness in her 
back and limbs, for which complaints Dr. Babington was first 
consulted, At three years old, her mother observed something 
come 
