Ketone bodies are not normal intermediates in the degradation of fatty acids, but are formed
by special reactions to serve, together with free fatty acids, as a readily oxidizable fuel of
oxidation in various tissues when the supply of glucose is restricted. The mild forms of
ketosis, eg of starvation or of low carbohydrate diets, or of mild diabetes, are physiological
processes, a part of the “caloric homeostasis”. Evidence is presented in support of the
working hypothesis that the severe forms of ketosis of the diabetic coma or of the lactating …