DISORDERS OF NUTRITION AND METABOLISM 131 



termed atheromatous degeneration of the blood-vessels, 

 a condition in which the blood-vessels become hardened 

 and loose their elasticity, thus increasing the blood- 

 pressure. The increased pressure upon the weakened 

 walls of the vessels frequently causes rupture of the walls, 

 especially of the small vessels of the brain, the resulting 

 condition being known as apoplexy. Other results of 

 overfeeding are auto-intoxication from a retention of 

 partially oxidized products of metabolism. Of these, 

 gout is an example. In gout there occur deposits of 

 urates about the joints, with consequent inflammatory 

 reaction. 



Glycosuria and Diabetes. The carbohydrate food- 

 supply is utilized in part by being transformed by the 

 liver into a peculiar form of sugar, called glycogen, which 

 is stored up in the liver cells and muscles of the body and 

 gradually discharged into the blood as needed. Oc- 

 casionally, when the supply of carbohydrate food is ex- 

 cessive, more glycogen is produced than can be stored up 

 in the muscles and liver, and the excess is discharged 

 through the kidneys. Such a condition is termed 

 glycosuria. 



Diabetes. This is a disease characterized by an in- 

 creased excretion of urine containing sugar. The cause 

 of this disorder is not known, but it seems to be con- 

 nected with diseases of the pancreas. Removal of the 

 pancreas in animals causes glycosuria. Just how this is 

 brought about is not clear. The essential facts of the 



