182 THE PROCESSES OF DIGESTION AND RESORPTION. 



intestinal tract, but of the manner of its action in this respect we 

 know little that is definite. After resorption from the intestinal 

 canal the fats are transferred from the epithelial cells to the lymph- 

 vessels, and subsequently reach the general circulation through the 

 thoracic duct. 



The lecithins, like the fats, are decomposed by steapsin into their 

 components, viz., into glycerin-phosphoric acid, the corresponding 

 fatty acids, and cholin. The former is then absorbed, and appears 

 in part at least in the urine as such. The fatty acids after snponifi- 

 cation are then similarly absorbed and reconstructed into neutral 

 fats, while cholin is decomposed by the bacteria which are present 

 in the intestines, with the formation of carbon dioxide, methane, 

 and ammonia. 



