198 Rcfrogrcssiz'c Processes. 



According to the experiments of Lowy and Richter,* there is con- 

 siderable diminution in oxidation power connected with atrophy of the 

 sexual glands. The authors found that in bitches, seven weeks after 

 castration, the consumption of oxygen for each kilo, of body-weight was 

 reduced about twenty per cent., and in spite of increase in body weight 

 the total' gas interchange decreased about nine per cent., a reduction 

 followed up to about twelve months after operation ; in castration of 

 males the diminution of gas exchange set in within but a few days. 

 Inasmuch as this loss is immediately removed by feeding ovariin to 

 females and spermin and didymin to males after castration, and the 

 same disturbances recur after stopping the administration of these sub- 

 stances, it may be assumed that the sexual glands possess a chemical 

 function in connection with metabolism. 



When obesity is referable to an especially rich stipply of fat 

 or fat-forming substances animals are said to be "fattened" (dietary 

 obesity, obesifas ex aliuieiitis). It is well known that this is favored 

 by repeated venesection ; the lowering of gaseous exchange from 

 the removal of blood corpuscles may be a factor in this case. 



Local acctunulations of fat in the vicinity of atrophic tissues 

 are found, filling in the spaces left through the atrophy, as in atrophy 

 of the nmscles and kidneys (fat hypertrophy ex vacuo). 



[Anatomically a part, as the liver, which is the seat of fatty 

 infiltration, is apt to be of a light yellowish color, enlarged, its 

 capsule tense and smooth and the margins tending to be rounded 

 when the amount of fat deposited is great. It cuts with lessened 

 resistance and the cut surface and the section knife are greasy.] 

 A pathological obesity (which is progressive) is anatomically 

 recognizable by the increase of the panniculus adiposus in the 

 subcutaneous tissue, the peritonetim, mesentery, epicardium and as 

 a diffuse extension through the tissues, as the muscles. 



Fatty degeneration is characterized by a dull yellow, ochre or 

 clay-colored appearance of the organs, sometimes by distinct in- 

 crease of the volume [typically the reserve because of the cellular 

 destruction which is taking place], a pasty, doughy consistence or 

 friability, a greasy sensation given to the hand, and a greasy de- 

 posit on the knife used for section of the organ, and by indistinct 

 structural marking of the part. Sometimes the discoloration is in 

 streaks or flecks. The process may be associated with cloudy 

 swelling, when the parts look as if they had been cooked [and are 

 apt to be of increased vohnne from the latter degenerative change]. 



The pathological significance of fatty infiltration and of fatty 

 degeneration depends upon the extent and intensity of the process 



♦Cited from Ilerm. Ilahn. Aiiat. 11. i)hi/s. Fohjecrschcln. <1. Kaatration. Sitznngs- 

 ber. d. Geaellsch. f. Morph. 11. IMiys. iu Miinchen, 190'2, XVIII, Heft 1. 



