64 OP THE CELLULAR SYSTEM, 



#. It is a morbid act, somewhat analogous to serous 

 collections; it is the result of debilitating causes. 



Q. To what causes may unnatural corpulency and ema- 

 ciation be generally ascribed? 



t#. The pathological reason is a general or local disease 

 or debility extended to the cellular texture. This disease 

 or debility may originate there. 



Q. What curious phenomenon is presented in the cel- 

 lular texture of some birds? 



Jl. The ortolan and other birds are said to fatten very 

 suddenly in foggy weather. 



Q. What is the colour of the fat? 



*/?. It is white in early life, yellow in advanced life, 

 and at the latter period it has a peculiar taste and smell. 



Q. What causes tend to diminish the fat, or, in other 

 words, to induce emaciation ? 



#. Protracted abstinence, prolonged organic affections, 

 purulent collections depending on chronic malady, leuco- 

 phlegmasia, the undue operation of depressing passions, 

 increased evacuations, watchings, great degrees of heat, 

 intemperance, and many other causes tend to emaciate the 

 body. 



Q. Has temperature of the body exclusive influence in 

 preserving the fat fluid? 



#. No; for both cold and warm-blooded animals have 

 the fat fluid. It is a vital influence that keeps it liquid. 



Q. What do you find frequently substituted for fat near 

 the heart, in hydropic and phthisical patients? 



#. A yellow transparent fluid, of a gelatinous aspect, 

 having many of the characters of albumen. 



Q. How is the fat formed? 



