A sign of a disorder in the digestive system. There are many types of abnormal feces. Infrequent bowel movements that are hard and dry are the symptoms of constipation. Three or more loose bowel movements a day are considered diarrhea. Chalk- colored feces may be a symptom of hepatitis (inflammation of the liver). Loose, greasy, strong-smelling feces that float may be due to malabsorption (impaired absorption of nutrients through the small intestine). Mal¬ absorption can be a sign of such problems as celiac disease (an inflammation of the small intestine due to an immune reaction to a protein found in grains), Crohn disease, or pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Floating feces that are hard to flush are due to gas within the feces.