CORPULENCE or OBESITY, the over-accumulation of fat under the skin and around and throughout certain of the internal organs. The most celebrated case is that of Daniel Lambert (q.v.) who died in 1809 in his 4oth year. He is said to have been the heaviest man that ever lived, his weight being 7391b. (52st 1'lb.). Health cannot be long maintained under excessive obesity, for exercise is difficult and the thoracic and abdominal organs are embarrassed in their functions. Often mental activity is impaired.
Various factors operate in the production of corpulence. Some times it is an hereditary tendency, which no precautions as to living appear capable of averting. But certain habits favour its occurrence. Predisposing causes are a luxurious, inactive or sed entary life, with over-indulgence in sleep and absence of mental oc cupation, over-feeding (esp. carbohydrates and fats) and the large use of fluids (esp. beer and sweet wines). Its frequent occurrence in eunuchs and cretins, and in women after the meno pause, suggests the importance of endocrine secretions; and the value of thyroid extract in reducing weight indicates that this gland 1S implicated. (See ENDOCRINOLOGY; METABOLIC DIS EASES; NUTRITION.)