HYPOPHYSIS CEREBRI 327 



An ordered relationship, such as that which exists between the 

 action of adrenalin and certain nerve terminals, has not been 

 proved in the case of hypophysin. 



Very characteristic of the action of pituitary extract is the 

 increased diuresis which, according to Magnus and Schiifer, fol- 

 lows intravenous injection, and, if the injections are repeated, 

 continues for some time. This is in accordance with the increase 

 in the volume of the kidney, as shown by oncometric methods. 

 Schiifer and Herring next proved that the substance which pro- 

 duces diuresis is contained in the posterior lobe of the hypophysis ; 

 that it is dialyzable, is insoluble in ether and alcohol, and is not 

 destroyed by boiling ; the extract of the anterior lobe they found 

 to be non-diuretic. Moreover, they found that diuresis is also 

 produced by pituitary extract when injected intravenously or into 

 the peritoneum. 



Borchardt found that the subcutaneous injection of pituitary 

 extract into rabbits produced hyperglycasmia and glycosuria. 



With regard to the manner in which metabolism is influenced 

 by pituitary extract, Schiff found that, in one clinical case of 

 acromegaly and one of paralysis agitans, there was an increase 

 in the excretion of phosphorus, which he ascribed to the decom- 

 position of organs containing much phosphorus, such as the 

 nervous system and the bones. In one case of acromegaly 

 Moraczewski found retention of Ca and P 2 O 5 ; the administration 

 of pituitary tabloids reduced the excretion of Ca, Mg, and P 2 O 5 . 



The exhibition per os of pituitary tabloids in man is followed 

 in the normal subject by increased metabolism of gases ; in per- 

 sons with acromegaly, metabolism is only very slightly increased 

 (Magnus-Levy, Salomon). 



Experiments intended to show the effect of pituitary extract 

 upon metabolism in animals have produced conflicting results. 

 Osward found that pituitary substance, when given by the mouth 

 to dogs, produced no effect upon the excretion of phosphorus and 

 nitrogen. Thompson and Johnson, on the other hand, found an 

 increased excretion of nitrogen, urea, and phosphorus in the 

 urine, together with a reduction in the weight of the body. 

 Malcolm exhibited the glandular and nervous portions of the 

 hypophysis separately; he found that, when given by the mouth, 

 the anterior lobe produced retention of phosphorus, the posterior 

 lobe excretion of phosphorus. The excretion of Ca, Mg, and 

 N was increased by the exhibition of the fresh gland, but rather 

 diminished than otherwise by the exhibition of the dried gland. 



According to Falta, Bolaffio and Tedesko, the effect of 

 pituitrin upon the metabolism of salt is similar to that of the 

 thyroid substances. They found that, in fasting dogs, there was 

 an increase of the quotient N:P 2 O S in the urine, together with 

 an increased excretion of phosphorus in the faeces. The excess 

 of the calcium excreted carries a proportion of phosphorus with 



