COORDINATION 437 



poorly. Strangely enough, the abstinence of caring for both the gonadal prod- 

 from carbohydrates in the diet does very nets (eggs and sperms) and the early 

 little good in preventing any of the symp- embryo. Such a process becomes highly 

 toms. In fact, it seems that without insulin complex in mammals where the young are 

 the body mobilizes all of the sugar at its few in number and are cared for both 

 disposal and discharges it from the body within the body of the mother long before 

 via the urine. Even the amino acids are birth and for some time after they have 

 deaminized at an abnormally high rate, so made their appearance in the outside 

 that the sugar residue is added to the world. To aid in its functioning an intricate 

 already heavily sugar-laden urine. Further- system of hormones, intricately adjusted to 

 more, the fats are withdrawn from storage one another, has thus been evolved, 

 and only partially oxidized, leaving the un- The gonads' primary function of pro- 

 oxidized fractions in the blood and urine, ducing eggs and sperms will be discussed 

 It seems tliat all the forces of the body are later in Chapter 21 and only such anatomy 

 put forth to produce sugar which is then as is necessary for an understanding of their 

 wastefully thrown away. Death is the in- endocrine function will be given at this 

 evitable answer to such a course, unless time. 



insulin from an external source can inter- The testes. Located among the sperm- 



vene. producing tubules of the testes is a special 



In some diseases of the pancreas the type of tissue ( interstitial ) which produces 

 islets are stimulated to produce more than a hormone, testosterone, that is secreted 

 the normal amount of insulin. The results direcdy into the blood stream. This stimu- 

 are the same as when a diabetic gives him- lates the production of the secondary sex- 

 self too much insulin. The blood sugar is ual characteristics in all male vertebrates, 

 dropped to such a low level that the brain characteristics which are associated with 

 becomes irritable and finally the person maleness. They are the very obvious traits 

 goes into the severe condition called in- which separate the male from the female 

 sulin shock. Most diabetics are familiar both moq^hologically and physiologically, 

 with the possibility of this condition and The comb and brilliant plumage of the 

 accordingly carry sugar or some other cock, the thick neck and massive body of 

 sugar-containing substance that can be the bull, and the beard of man are all sec- 

 taken quickly to overcome the lowered ondary sexual characteristics. The absolute 

 blood sugar level. Because of his liability to proof that these characteristics are associ- 

 insulin shock or coma, either of which may ated with the testis can be demonstrated by 

 render him unconscious, it is advisable that castration, or removal of these glands, an 

 the diabetic carry among his possessions a ancient custom practiced by man not only 

 card or tag identifying his disease, so that on his domestic animals but in some cases 

 in event of collapse his condition will not also on his fellow man. The castrated cock 

 be mistaken for some other malady or even shows none of the brilliant plumage of the 

 drunkenness. . normal male; the steer is quite different 



both in its anatomy and behavior from the 



The gonads j^^H. ^\^q gelding has none of the fire nor 



The testes and ovaries are also compound cantankerousness of the stallion. In ancient 

 glands whose primary function is the pro- times it was customary to castrate slaves, 

 duction of sperms and eggs. In addition, producing eunuchs who would then be 

 they have very important endocrine func- docile, subservient beasts of burden and 

 tions which have developed in the evolu- trusted keepers of the harem. When it was 

 tion of vertebrates primarily for the purpose desired to retain the soprano voice of a 



