THE VE RTEBRATE BODY 361 



this organ fails during surgical operations ; it will relieve attacks of 

 asthma by shrinking the lining of the air passages, allowing easier 

 breathing. For the same reason it makes breathing easier in colds or 

 hayfever ; it may be sprayed on bleeding gums or membranes to hasten 

 clotting after minor operations in the mouth, nose, or throat ; it will help 

 bring a person out of insulin shock by releasing sugar into the blood. 

 Because of these and other uses a doctor's kit usually contains adrenalin 

 ready for emergency use. 



The cortex of the adrenal gland secretes a number of hormones 

 which are essential to normal life. The first of these to be discovered 

 is known as cortin. This hormone seems to regulate the concentration 

 of sodium chloride and potassium in the blood and is related to the 

 conversion of proteins to carbohydrates. When there is an undersecre- 

 tion of this hormone there is an excessive excretion of sodium chloride, 

 table salt, in the urine and a corresponding deficiency in the blood, but 

 there will be an increase of potassium in the blood. Also, there will 

 be a drop in blood sugar as the conversion of proteins is diminished. 

 This unbalance of substances in the blood may lead to Addison's disease, 

 which is characterized by a general body weakness, digestive upsets, and 

 a dark pigmentation of the skin. People with this disease show re- 

 markable improvement when cortin is injected. 



More than twenty other hormones have been isolated from this part 

 of the adrenal gland in recent years. This makes it one of the most 

 complex of the endocrine glands. The best known of these hormones 

 is cortisone which first reached the limelight when it was found that 

 controlled doses of this hormone relieved many persons who were suf- 

 fering from arthritis. It reduces the inflammation of the joints and 

 increases the patient's sense of well-being. Since then it has been used 

 to treat many other human ailments which involve inflammation of 

 body tissues, such as hayfever and eye infections, with varying degrees 

 of success. 



The hormones of the cortex are closely related to the hormones of 

 the gonads, particularly the male hormone, and they may influence the 

 gonads and other sexual characteristics of the body. Sometimes a 

 tumor will develop on this gland and cause an over-secretion of the corti- 

 cal hormones. If this happens in a man there will be an increase in 

 his male characteristics. This is particularly noticeable in the excessive 

 hair growth. In a young boy the effect will be a premature develop- 

 ment of mature masculine characteristics. In a woman there will be 

 a beard growth, development of male musculature, and a deepening of 

 the voice. The female organs tend to atrophy and become nonfunc- 

 tional. 



