34 PERSONAL APPEARANCES IN HEALTH AND DISEASE. 



And these effects are shown more rapidly and readily, 

 although perhaps carried to a less extent, in individuals 

 who previously were well nourished or even corpulent. 

 For in these the contrast is all the more striking than in 

 those in whom from the slight amount of adipose tissue 

 normally present there is already the appearance of 

 wasting. Hence it is that the appearances of ill-health 

 are best seen in those who previously had the greater 

 appearance of robust health, and the sunken cheek and 

 drawn face show early the inroads of disease. 



In acute fevers there is a great call upon the stores of 

 nutriment, in the body, and much waste takes place 

 which cannot be made up while the fever process lasts ; 

 because the functions of digestion and assimilation are 

 perverted. Hence in a few days or weeks of fever the 

 body emaciates to a. marked degree. Nor is the wasting 

 limited to the fatty layer. As in starvation this doubtless 

 is the first to be used up, but then further call is made 

 upon the other structures, and muscles grow thin and 

 flabby too. The recovery of form after , the fever has 

 passed away, during the stage of convalescence, is chiefly 

 by the reproduction of fat ; for it requires a long period 

 of careful exercise to restore the muscles to their 

 previous natural condition. Indeed, it is frequent enough 

 that an acute and wasting fever will cause such per- 

 manent alteration in the nutrition of the body as to lay 



