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OBESITY,
OR
EXCESSIVE CORPULENCE:
THE VARIOUS CAUSES
AND
THE RATIONAL MEANS OF CURE.
From the French of Dancel.
TRANSLATED AND EDITED BY
M. BARRETT, M.A., M.D.
TORONTO:
W. C. CHEWETT & CO., KING STREET EAST.
1864.
PRINTED BY W. C. CHEWETT & CO., KING STREET EAST,
TORONTO.
PREFACE.
The subject of "Obesity," including its cause and treatment, has
received during the past few years a great deal of attention both in
England and on the Continent. Thousands of persons have realized the
extraordinary benefit to be derived from the simple treatment laid down
in the following pages.
Some members of the medical profession have, in the course of their
practice, availed themselves of the theory first propounded by our
Author, but have failed to acknowledge--either through ignorance or
inadvertence--the source of their information.
Under these circumstances it has been deemed an act of justice, though
tardy, to place before the profession and the public a translation of
the original work of DANCEL, published at Paris, in 1854. Some slight
modifications in matters of theory have, however, been introduced,
which the progress of science imperatively demanded.
The invariable success which has attended the treatment of several
cases of obesity in this city, in accordance with the principles
established by DANCEL, warrants the assertion that the system is in
every respect worthy of public confidence.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE.
To the many individuals of both sexes who are afflicted with an
excessive development of fat, rendering the ordinary duties of life
not only irksome but ofttimes impossible,--an easy method of reducing
obesity, in nowise interfering with the ordinary daily avocations of
the patient, nor demanding any diminution in the actual amount of food
consumed; requiring the use of none but the mildest and most harmless
medicinal agents; improving at the same time the general health, and
augmenting bodily and mental vigour,--must prove acceptable.
The process will be found not a mere speculative theory, but one based
upon the great laws of Nature, as manifested throughout the whole of
the animal kingdom.
AUTHOR'S PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION.
Can corpulence be reduced without injuriously affecting the general
health? This is the grand question, and it is suggestive of another,
which is:--an inordinate amount of fat once having been deposited
in and among the living tissues, is its presence necessary for the
preservation of the health and life of the individual? My answer
is,--most assuredly no! Every one knows that an undue degree of
corpulence is not only accompanied with great inconvenience to the
individual, but is, in most instances productive of ill health, and too
frequently of positive disease.
Having answered this question, another occurs:--are there any
substances generally known to the profession which have the power
either to destroy fat or to cause its disappearance, and which, at the
same time, will have no action upon the other tissues of the body? My
reply is most assuredly there are such; and I will prove my assertion
in this respect to be correct, without resorting to the use of subtle
reasonings or invoking the aid of learned theories, but will be content
to rest it upon the sure foundation of chemical science,--on that
science which teaches the action of one body with another, which shews
us that in some cases no change whatever is effected by the mechanical
combination of two or more indifferent substances; and that in other
instances, the chemical union of two bodies will be productive of a
third, having properties wholly dissimilar from either of the two
original substances:--thus, that one or more elementary substances or
chemical compounds may enter into combination with a fatty body to
produce a third, and yet have no power of action whatsoever upon the
muscles, the bones, the nerves, or any other than the fatty tissues of
the living organism.
Knowing, therefore, the chemical constituents of fat, and also those
entering into the composition of the several articles of diet which
are principally made use of in the civilized world, we are enabled to
say of a certain class of alimentary substances, that such contain
the elementary ingredients of fat; and that if you desire to escape
the inconveniences and evils attendant on corpulency, it will be well
to abstain from them; and that, on the other hand, by making use of
such and such alimentary substances, and that too in any quantity
the appetite may prompt, there will be no danger of suffering the
inconveniences alluded to, because such substances contain but a minute
portion of those elements which enter into the composition of fat.
In the following treatise, a system for the reduction of corpulence,
based upon the above well-recognized truths, will be found fully
developed, and its correctness established by means of numerous cases
brought forward, in which the results have been entirely satisfactory,
and where the patients have kindly permitted me to state their names
and addresses.
CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Translator's Preface iii.
Author's Preface v.
Author's Preface to Third Edition vii.
CHAPTER I.
Introduction 1
CHAPTER II.
Sterility 7
Virility 8
CHAPTER III.
Hernia 9
Umbilical Hernia 10
Medical Theories 14
Medical Specialism 16
Periodic Headache 17
Effect of loss of blood 18
Apoplexy 19
Sanguineous Apoplex 20
Pulmonary Affections 21
Fatty Liver 22
Abdominal Dropsy 23
Hepatic Obstruction 24
Broussais, his Theory 25
Signs of Hepatic Obstruction 27
Uterine Affections 28
Skin Disease 29
Cause of Obesity 30
Hysteria 31
Sudden Death 32
CHAPTER IV.
Quantity of Fat 35
Case in Java 36
Appearance of the Obese 37
Pallor 38
Varicose Veins 40
Somnolence 41
Effects of Exercise 43
Pre-disposition to Fat 44
Intestinal Tract 46
Composition of Fat 47
Chemistry of Fat 48
Experimental Feeding 50
Effects of Fluids 51
Nitrogenous Food 52
Carnivora 53
Hippopotamus 54
Whale Tribe 55
Insufficient Exercise 56
Active Exercise 57
Jail Prisoners 58
Carbon of Plants 59
CHAPTER V.
Treatment of Obesity 60
Delarding 61
Compulsory Abstinence 62
Use of Acids 63
Use of Iodine 64
Similarity of Fat and Water 65
Alkalis 66
Bi-Carbonate of Soda 67
Alkalis alone not sufficient 68
Increased Tone 69
CHAPTER VI.
Cases of Reduction of Corpulence 70
Case of Guénaud 71
Increased Muscular Power 73
Unimpeded Respiration 74
Diet 75
Case of Widow Rollin 76
Case of Chauvin 77
Case of Roberts 78
Swelling of the Legs 79
Palpitation 80
Cardiac Symptoms 81
No excess of Blood 82
Case of Madame Meuriot 83
Case of Madame Pecquet 86
Loss of One Hundred Pounds weight 88
Case of Madame de M. 89
Case of Lucian Eté 92
Case of Madame d'Hervilly 93
Case of M. Desbouillons 94
Systematic Opposition 96
Trembley 97
Not a matter of Faith 98
Fat and Fatigue 99
Case of Madame C. 100
Change of Temperament 101
Case of Albert C. 102
Case of Mr. L. 103
Case of Dr. Halberg 105
Case of Jules Wimy 107
The Postmaster at Orleans 109
Constancy of Result 110
Resolution necessary 111
The Fat Professor 113
Cases of Skin Disease 114
Prejudices Overcome 115
CHAPTER VII.
On the selection of alimentary substances favorable to
the reduction of Corpulence 116
Man Omnivorous 117
Power of Selection 118
Of Meats 119
Of Fish 120
Of Milk 121
CHAPTER VIII.
Of Beverage 122
Beer and Cider 123
Alcoholic Drinks 124
Wine and Water 125
Of Tea and Coffee 126
Strong Coffee 127
OBESITY; OR, EXCESSIVE CORPULENCE.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTION.
The physician has a twofold duty to perform. He is called upon not
merely to alleviate pain, and to undertake the cure of disease, but
he is, moreover, required to lay down rules for the preservation of
health, the prevention of disease, and its too frequent concomitant,
pain.
Now, health being dependent upon the due and regular performance of the
vital functions by the several physiological organs of the body, any
excessive development of these organs, or undue manifestation of force
on their part, must, of necessity, be contrary to the general health of
the body, and be productive of disease and pain.
In many persons there exists a constitutional tendency to the excessive
formation of blood, occasioning a plethoric condition, and thereby
rendering the individual liable to a great many diseases; others
again suffer from an exalted or diminished sensibility of the nervous
system, inducing some of the greatest woes to which humanity is liable.
Many different elements are combined in the structure of the various
organs of the body, and among these fat, in suitable proportion, must
be recognized as necessary for the due and equable performance of the
several organic functions.
This fat, however, often becomes excessive, giving rise at first to
great inconvenience, after a time inducing debility, and finally
constituting a disease (hitherto deemed incurable) termed obesity.
The possession of a graceful figure may be of little importance, in
so far as the happiness of most men is concerned; but as regards the
gentler sex, such is by no means the case. Women are too apt to believe
that, in the absence of physical beauty, the possession of mental and
worldly treasures can only suffice to render them endurable in their
social relations. Beauty, the richest gift of nature, deserves to be
carefully guarded by those who happily possess it; corpulence, its
enemy, is destructive to the finest organization.
It is a painful sight to witness the many instances of women, who,
though still of youthful years, and whose elegance of form, but a
short time since, did but enhance their unsurpassed loveliness of
countenance, lose by degrees, in the midst of an overwhelming fat,
all this relative and graceful harmony, and whose ever increasing
corpulence serves only to render them ill-favoured and repulsive. In
all cases, so detrimental a change is much to be regretted; but for
ladies mingling in the fashionable spheres of life, it is to be borne
only when such a condition can be shewn to be utterly beyond all hope
of relief.
Excessive corpulence has destroyed the prospects of many, both men
and women, by rendering them incompetent to discharge the duties of a
profession by which they had hitherto gained an honourable livelihood.
Superabundance of fat prevents an infantry officer from following his
regiment--a cavalry officer from being long on horseback; and thus both
are alike compelled to retire from the service. The operatic artiste,
whose voice or personal beauty had been hitherto a mine of wealth to
the theatre, falls into indigence, because an excessive development of
fat now embarrasses the lungs or destroys her personal charms.
Every one engaged in intellectual pursuits will say that since he has
increased in fat he finds that he cannot work so easily as he did when
he was thin. The painter feels the want of that vivid imagination
which was wont to guide his brush. The sculptor labours with
indifference upon the marble. The literary man feels heavy, and his
ideas no longer flow in obedience to his will. The clerk in his office
is ever complaining of the efforts he is obliged to make to resist an
overwhelming drowsiness which interferes with his calculating powers,
rendering him unable to compose a letter, or even to copy one. Obesity,
in fact, lessens both physical and moral activity, and unfits man for
the ordinary business of life.
It was in conformity with this opinion, no doubt, that the Romans at
one time, wishing to have no drones among them, banished those of their
fellow citizens who laboured under an excessive development of fat.
One can conceive of the existence of such a law among a people who
condemned to a like punishment any citizen known to be indifferent to
the public welfare.
We must admit, however, that it would be a grave error to assert that
all persons suffering under an excess of fat are invariably wanting
in the finer feelings, or even in moral energy. There are many living
proofs to the contrary. But it is among women chiefly that we witness
instances of great mental refinement and susceptibility, in union with
a body steadily increasing to a lamentable size.
Moralists have written that obesity is a sign of egotism; of a good
stomach, but of a bad heart; and many may be found to endorse the
sentiment. Unhappily people are easily dazzled with high sounding
words, and the sententious phrases of moralists. This is wrong; for if
we take the trouble to adopt for a moment the opposite to that which
they advance, we shall often find that this opposite is not void of
reason. In support of this remark many reasons can be advanced why a
fat person should have a good heart, and be endowed with most excellent
qualities. Corpulence, it is true, usually indicates good digestive
powers; but good digestion is not incompatible with goodness of heart.
One who digests his food easily ought to be better disposed towards
those around him, than the sickly creature labouring under dyspepsia.
What amount of temper can be expected in those who daily experience
pain in the stomach while the digestive process is going on? they can
have no joyousness of heart, but must continually be in bad humour,
too often seen in their contracted and jaundiced features. It is a
great mental effort on their part to receive you with even a seeming
cordiality. We may always accost a person with a degree of confidence,
whose skin is gracefully spread over a sufficient layer of fat. I
may be mistaken, but in my opinion we need not expect to meet in such
persons great mental anxiety, or intense egotistical feelings.
Julius Cæsar was warned a few days before his assassination that an
attempt would be made upon his life:--Antonius and Dolabella were
accused of being the conspirators. "I have but little dread of those
two men," said he, "they are too fat, and pay too much attention to
their toilette; I should rather fear Brutus and Cassius, who are meagre
and pale-faced." The end justified Cæsar's opinion.
With respect to lean persons, I shall not undertake to oppose the
general opinion that a delicate organization is emblematic of a mind
endowed with a great member of most precious and good qualities,
frequently used with such energy, as by its very strength to be the
cause of bodily weakness. But let us beware of entering the domain of
Lavater, Gall and Spurzheim. We would rather say that the emblem of
health is a sufficient but not too great rotundity of person--_mens
sana in corpore sano_.