~Metabolism of Fats.~--Acidosis is a condition believed to be due primarily to some impairment in the metabolism of fat in the body, in consequence of which there is an accumulation of substances more or less irritating and at times toxic in character in the blood. These substances, known as acetone bodies, are especially apt to appear in the urine of individuals suffering from diabetes, likewise in those undergoing starvation, whether as a result of treatment to overcome a definite pathological condition, as in diabetes, or as the result of disease itself. ~Malnutrition as a Source.~--Certain individuals, children especially, develop symptoms of acidosis under many different circumstances; for example, in many cases of malnutrition the evidences of acidosis are almost invariable. The treatment in these cases must be, of course, prompt in order that the condition may not assume a serious aspect. ~Dietetic Treatment.~--The diet is adjusted in order to neutralize the effect of the acid in the blood. This is done in two ways: first, by reducing the fat, and second, by increasing the amount of base-forming foods in the diet. The following table[164] illustrates the foods in which the acid-forming elements and base-forming elements predominate: FOODS IN WHICH ACID-FORMING ELEMENTS PREDOMINATE _Estimated Excess Acid-forming Elements Equivalent to C.C. Normal Acid per 100 Calories_ Beef, free from visible fat 10 Eggs .9 Round steak 6.7 Oatmeal 3.2 Wheat flour 2.7 Wheat, entire grain 2.6 Rice 2.4 Bacon 1 Corn, entire grain (high protein) .1 FOODS IN WHICH BASE-FORMING ELEMENTS PREDOMINATE _Estimated Excess Base-forming Elements Equivalent to C.C. Normal Alkali per 100 Calories_ Celery 40 Cabbage 10-13.6 Potatoes 9-12 Prunes 7.9 Turnips 6.6-12.5 Apples 5 Milk 3.3 Beans 2.9-6.8 Peas 1.9 Corn, entire grain (low protein) .8 The fruits likewise show a predominance of base-forming elements over acid-forming elements and for this reason may be used to balance the diet. ~Diabetic Acidosis.~--The acidosis during diabetes has been already discussed in the chapter devoted to that disease.