CHAPTER XL 



FECES. 



THE feces is the residual mass of material remaining in the intes- 

 tine after the full and complete exercise of the digestive and ab- 

 sorptive functions and is ultimately expelled from the body through 

 the rectum. The amount of this fecal discharge varies with the 

 individual and the. diet. Upon an ordinary mixed diet the daily ex- 

 cretion by an adult male will aggregate 110-170 grams with a solid 

 content ranging between 25 and 45 grams; the fecal discharge of 



FIG. 46. 



MICROSCOPICAL CONSTITUENTS OF FECES. (v. Jaksch.) 



a, Muscle fibers ; b, connective tissue ; c, epithelium ; d, leucocytes ; e , spiral cells ; 

 f, S, h, i> various .vegetable cells; k, "triple phosphate" crystals; /, woody vegetable 

 cells ; the whole interspersed with innumerable micro-organisms of various kinds. 



such an individual upon a vegetable diet will be much greater and 

 may even be as great as 350 grams and possess a solid content of 

 75 grams. The variation in the normal daily output being so great 

 renders this factor of very little value for diagnostic purposes, 

 except where the composition of the diet is accurately known. 

 Lesions of the digestive tract, a defective absorptive function or 

 increased peristalsis as well as an admixture of mucus, pus, blood 

 and pathological products of the intestinal wall may cause the total 

 amount of excrement to be markedly increased. 



172 



