FORMATION AND DEPOSITION OF FAT. 385 



this view is correct. It is said that in sugar-growing sec- 

 tions, during the period of grinding the cane, the laborers 

 become excessively fat, from eating large quantities of the 

 saccharine matter. We cannot refer to any exact scientific 

 observations on this point, but the fact is pretty generally 

 admitted by physiologists. Again, it has been frequently a 

 matter of individual experience that sugar and starch are 

 favorable to the deposition of fat, especially when there is a 

 constitutional tendency to obesity. A most remarkable ex- 

 ample of this, and one which has met with considerable 

 notoriety, is worthy of mention, though not reported by a 

 scientific observer. We refer to the letter on corpulence, by 

 Mr. Banting. 1 The writer of this curious pamphlet, in 1862, 

 was sixty-six years old, five feet and five inches in height, 

 an,d weighed two hundred and two pounds. Under the ad- 

 vice of Mr. William Harvey, F. R. C. S., of London, he con- 

 fined himself to a diet containing no sugar, and as little 

 starch and fat as possible. Continuing this regimen for one 

 year, he gradually lost weight, at the rate of about one 

 pound each week, until he was reduced to one hundred and 

 fifty-six pounds. At the time the last edition of the pam- 

 phlet was published, in 1864, he enjoyed perfect health and 

 weighed one hundred and fifty pounds, his weight varying 

 only to the extent of one pound, more or less, in the course 

 of a month. This little tract is very interesting, both from 

 the importance of its physiological relations and its quaint 

 literary style. It has had an immense circulation, and many 

 persons suffering from excessive adipose development have 

 adopted the system here advised, with results more or less 

 favorable. A study of the course of diet here prescribed 

 shows it be a pretty rigid training system, with the excep- 

 tion of succulent vegetables and liquids, which are allowed 

 without restriction. It is proper to remark, however, that 

 some enthusiastic advocates of the plan have exceeded the 

 limits prescribed, and neglected the caution of the author 



1 BANTING, Letter on Corpulence, London, 1864. 

 25 



