FAT. 231 



constitution or a peculiar and unexplained state of the 

 system. 



Disappearance. Of all the solids in the body, fat is 

 developed and destroyed with the greatest rapidity : in ill- 

 ness, it disappears with surprising quickness, and is formed 

 again, under the influence of recovery with almost equal 

 celerity. 



The exact changes which occur during the disappearance 

 of fat are unknown ; whatever they may be, they doubtless 

 affect each individual fat vesicle throughout the body, and 

 their nature being ascertained in a single cell would serve to 

 explain the disappearance of fat over the entire body. It is 

 uncertain whether the contents of the vesicle disappear, the 

 membrane remaining, or whether both are effaced together. 

 Beclard says that the fat vesicles themselves disappear.* 

 Hunter, on the contrary, assures us that they may be dis- 

 tinguished even when they are empty. f Gurlt states that 

 they contain serosity in place of grease in lean animals. J 



The immediate cause of the disappearance of fat most 

 probably depends upon interrupted nutrition ; the contents of 

 the cells escaping through their walls become absorbed by 

 the lymphatics, and thus removed into the circulation. This 

 view is supported by the observation of Henle, who states 

 that, after repeated losses of blood, the quantity of grease 

 in the blood augments considerably, on the surface of which 

 it is often seen swimming as a cream or pellicle. 



Uses. The uses of fat are manifold and important. 



1st. It serves to impart softness to the texture of the skin. 



2nd. It adds grace and symmetry to the outlines of the 

 body. 



3rd. In certain situations, as in the soles of the feet, in 

 the palms of the hands, and over the glutei muscles, it serves 

 as a protection against the effects of pressure. 



* Anatomie Generate, p. 163. 



f Remarks on the Cellular Membrane in Med. Obs. and Inq., vol. ii., 

 London, 1757. 



} Physiologic, p. 20. 



u 2 



