Whether fat people possess greater power of resistance as against the fatal wasting of certain maladies or not, does not seem to be known, and I fancy that the popular medical belief is rather opposed to a belief in the vital endurance of those who are unusually fat.
That I am not pushing too far this idea of the indicative value of gain of weight may be further seen in persons who suffer from some incurable chronic malady, but who are in other respects well.

The relief from their disease, even if temporary, is apt to be signalled by abrupt gain in weight.

A remarkable illustration is to be found in those who suffer periodically from severe pain.

Cessation of these attacks for a time is sure to result in the putting on of flesh.

The case of Captain Catlin[10] is a good example.