DISEASES OF METABOLISM 139 



dogs). For these reasons, the modem dietetic reducing methods 

 used on man possess a certain importance in veterinary medicine, 

 especially in canine practice. The most important of these 

 methods are the following: 



(a) The Banting ^ cure. This consists of the use of a purely 

 albuminous diet, the only food permitted being fat-free meat. 

 Carbohydrates and fat are omitted entirely. As a consequence, 

 in order to meet the carbon requirements of the body, the fat 

 stored up in the tissues is drawn on and oxidized. Great care 

 must be exercised in using this method. If continued too long, 

 until after the tissue fat is used up, the tissue albumin will be 

 attacked and will be reduced in spite of the increased ingestion of 

 albumin. 



(b) The Ebstein^ reducing method. In this method only the 

 carbohydrates are excluded from the food, the use of fat as well as 

 albumin being permitted. The fat is given to bring about an 

 early appeasement of the appetite and thus decrease the total 

 amount of food ingested. 



(c) The OerteP reducing method. This method is based 

 essentially upon the withholding of water; albumin, fat and carbo- 

 hydrates are all permitted. In addition, an effort is made to 

 increase the amount of work performed. This method is espe- 

 cially adapted to the treatment of fatty degeneration of the heart. 

 In consequence of the withdrawal of water, the blood is decreased 

 in volume and the resistance to the heart is thereby reduced. The 

 simultaneous artificial increase of cardiac activity exerts a fat- 

 reducing and strengthening effect upon the heart muscle. 



Medical Reducing Remedies. — These are secondary in impor- 

 tance to the dietetic methods. They involve the use of cathartics, 

 especially Glauber's salt. The frequently repeated rapid emptying 



1 W. Banting, an Englishman suffering from obesity, was treated by his 

 physician, Dr. Harvey, by the method formerly known as the "meat 

 method," and published his experiences in 1863 in a book entitled " Letter 

 on Corpulence Addressed to the Public." 



2 Ebstein, late professor of medicine in Gottingen. 



• Oertel, late professor of medicine in Munich. 



