METABOLISM. 



According to Leathes, "the fatty acids undergo oxidation step by 

 step, each time at the B. carbon -atom ; that an unsaturated linkage 

 is the first move towards this oxidation, and probably the formation of 

 a saturated oxyacid the second. The first of these preparatory changes 

 takes place either in the organs where the oxidation is carried out or 

 before it reaches them, but after it leaves the storage places possibly 

 in the liver." 



Pfliiger believes that the sugar produced in the body which cannot 

 be accounted for by the carbohydrates must be derived from the fats. 

 In his dogs who had the greater part of the pancreas removed and the 

 connection of the remainder with the intestine severed, there ensued 

 a glycosuria. He then fed them with raw ox-pancreas, which increased 

 the absorption .of fats and proteids, and there resulted an intense 

 glycosuria. He fed them four months on casein and boiled cod, which 

 in the winter months contains no glycogen and only traces of fat. 

 By calculations he deduced the conclusion that the sugar was derived 

 from the fat, and the seat of this transformation was the liver. 

 Pfliiger does not believe that fats can come from proteids. 



In fatty conditions of the organs, as the liver and heart, the fat 

 has been transported from the storage places in the subcutaneous 



I tissues, especially in that of the abdomen, to the organ affected. The 

 fat is not due to an alteration of the tissues of the organ. 



Acetone Bodies. 



Betaoxybutyric acid by oxidation gives rise to acetic acid and thi&, 

 by losing carbonic acid produces acetone. Acetone is the only body 

 appearing in normal urine. Acetonuria is constantly produced in 

 healthy people by restricting the carbohydrates, but it disappears as 

 soon as the carbohydrates are restored. In a healthy man fed on 

 butter, oil and a little wine for five days there was found in the urine 

 diacetic acid, B.-oxybutyric acid and acetone in amounts as in severe 

 diabetes. Of all the fatty acids, butyric acid of butter is the most 

 powerful to cause acetonuria. Acetone is largely formed in the muscles 

 and liver, and to a small extent in the other tissues of the body. It is 

 especially in diabetes that acetic and oxybutyric acid appsar, 



Inorganic Substances. 



Like water, the inorganic substances are absorbed ^n excess, more 

 than is necessary to a normal minimum. 



An animal can abstain from all food and livfc longer than an 

 animal deprived of salts. 





