X. The Function of Fat in the Human Organism and the Deceptive Local Syndromes

If on the other hand, as in the case already mentioned, there is an excess of fat, giving rise to parasitic foci of warmth, organs will be taken hold of in such a way as to become active beyond their normal measure. Tendencies towards excessive nourishment will then arise, so as to overload the organism. It need not imply that the person becomes an excessive eater. It may be, for instance, that the metabolic activity of the organism supplies too much substance to an organ of the head, withdrawing it from organs of the lower body and from the secretory processes. The action of the organs thus deprived will then be lowered in vitality. The secretions of the glands, for instance, may become deficient. The fluid constituents of the organism are brought into an unhealthy relationship in their mixture. For instance, the secretion of bile may become too great compared with that of pancreatic fluid. Once again it will be important to recognize how a syndrome arising locally is to be judged in that it may proceed in one way or another from an unhealthy activity of fat.