ADIPOSE TISSUE. 311 



external genitals. They are sometimes, but not invariably found 

 in the urine during slow fevers. 



It should be borne in mind that the human kidney naturally con- 

 tains a small quantity of fat. (Frerichs.) Prof. Beale 1 has also shown 

 that in diabetes the kidney is in a state of comparative stearosis 

 or increase of fat. The normal amount of fat being 3.98 parts out 

 of 100 of the solid matter of the kidney, from three to five times 

 as much was found in the diabetic kidney; and rather more than 

 six times as much (26.97) in a case of actual stearosis. On the 

 other hand, the liver in diabetes contains only from about one-third 

 to one-half of its normal amount of fat. It is thus in a state op- 

 posed to fatty degeneration. 



5. The cells of the liver naturally contain a few minute oil-drops 

 imbedded in a mass of granular matter; the fat amounting, accord- 

 ing to Prof. Beale, to from 12.15 to 15.81 out of 100 parts of the 

 solid matter in this organ. In fatty degeneration, the cells are filled 

 to the extent of one-half or two thirds; and are sometimes com- 

 pletely engaged with colorless fluid oil; the whole liver in some 

 cases containing but 24.93 per cent, of water, and 75.07 of solid 

 matter of which latter 65.19 per cent, is fatty matter. A yellow 

 matter is also sometimes seen mixed with the oil. The nuclei of 

 the cells disappear, and the cell- wall 

 sometimes becomes thickened and 

 striated. In advanced cases, the cells 

 are found even to be broken up and 

 lost, and their place is occupied by 

 granules, among which are multi- 

 tudes of oil-drops of various sizes. 

 (Fig. 197.) 



The cells being enlarged by the 

 increased amount of oil, the whole 



Fatty degeneration of the liver, a. 



liver undergoes an increase of size, Empty ruptured ceii from which the on 

 and the minute vessels being pressed jk 1' * * Hepa " c ce " 8 ^ 

 by the development of the cells, it 



also becomes paler than usual. It also is found to secrete less sugar, 

 though the amount or quality of the bile seems not to be essentially 

 modified, as a constant result. 



There is reason for the belief that fatty degeneration of the liver 



1 British and Foreign Medico-Chirurgical Review, vol. xii. p. 226. 



