FLESH AND FAT DEPOSITION. 861 



fattening is possible. That we are here not dealing with an increase in 

 the number of cells, but rather an enlargement of the volume of the same 

 is the generally accepted view. Different theories as to the value of this 

 protein fattening are entertained. According to a prevailing opinion this 

 enrichment of protein is not continuous, but may easily be retrograde, 

 and the question whether we are here dealing chiefly with a taking up of 

 proteins by the cells (LUTHJE) or with a new formation of living tissues, 

 requires further solution. 



It is difficult to produce a permanent flesh deposit in adult man by 

 overfeeding alone. It is to a much greater degree a function of the specific 

 growth energy of the cells and the cell-work than the excess of food. 

 Therefore there is observed, according to v. NOORDEN, abundant flesh 

 deposition (1) in each growing body; (2) in those no longer growing but 

 whose body is accustomed to increased work; (3) whenever, by previous 

 insufficient food or by disease, the flesh condition of the body has been 

 diminished and therefore requires abundant food to replace it. The 

 deposition of flesh is in this case an expression of the regenerative 

 energy of the cells. 1 



The experiences of graziers show that in food-animals a flesh deposit 

 does not occur, or at least is only inconsiderable, on overfeeding. The 

 individuality and the race of the animal are of importance for flesh deposi- 

 tion. 



The conditions in young, growing individuals are different than in 

 adults. In the first the protein is necessary for the building up of the 

 growing tissue and in them an abundant true flesh deposition takes 

 place. For this protein fattening the amount of supply does not take 

 first place, but rather the energy of development. 



As above stated (Chapter X), respecting the formation of fat in the 

 animal body, the most essential condition for a fat deposition is an over- 

 feeding with non-nitrogenous foods. The extent of fat deposition is 

 determined by the excess of calories administered over those actually 

 needed. But as protein and fat are expensive nutritive bodies as com- 

 pared with carbohydrates, the supply of greater quantities of carbo- 

 hydrates is important for fat deposition. The body decomposes less 

 substances at rest than during activity. Bodily rest, besides a proper 

 combination of the three chief groups of organic foods, is therefore also 

 an essential requisite for an abundant fat deposit. 



Action of Certain Other Bodies on Metabolism. Water. If a quan- 

 tity in excess of that which is necessary, is introduced into the organism, 

 the excess is quickly and principally eliminated with the urine. This 



and Schreuer, Pfliiger's Arch., 110; Henneberg and Pfeiffer, see Maly's Jahresb., 

 20; Pfeiffer and Kalb, ibid., 22. 



1 See also Svenson, Zeitschr. f . klin. Med., 43. 



