42 2 INANITION AND MALNUTRITION 



infants is still lower as a result of inanition. The larger dots represent 

 Minnesota cases. The weights for some of these cases are also given in Table 3. 



In all cases where full data were available, Jackson ('22) estimated the 

 loss of weight for the suprarenals in atrophic infants upon various bases, with 

 the results shown in Table 2. In comparison with the normal for the final 

 body weight, the average loss in the weight of the suprarenals was 43.3 per 

 cent (or 53.1 per cent in the Minnesota cases alone). Compared with the 

 normal for the maximum body weight during life, the loss in suprarenal weight 

 was 60.5 per cent. In comparison with the normal for the corresponding final 

 body length (height) the loss in suprarenal weight was 56.9 per cent. Accord- 

 ing to age, the suprarenals averaged 38.5 (41.7) per cent subnormal. This 

 includes the cases shown in Fig. 104. 



The data for the lower animals are more numerous. The earlier literature 

 will be considered in chronological order; the later data for the cortex, medulla; 

 weight and hibernation are listed separately. 



Chossat ('43) in fasting pigeons with loss of 40 per cent in body weight 

 noted in 3 cases a weight of 0.01 g. for the suprarenal glands; while in 2 controls 

 the weights of 0.06 and 0.02 (average 0.04) g. This would indicate a very 

 marked loss in the suprarenals. 



Manassein ('68, '69) recorded without comment (in his Table 12) data indi- 

 cating that in 47 adult fasting rabbits, with loss of about 39 per cent in body 

 weight, the suprarenal glands showed an average increase of 16 per cent in 

 weight; in 8 young fasting rabbits, 3% months old, with loss of about t,^ per 

 cent in body weight, the suprarenals gained 51 per cent; while in 3 still younger 

 fasting rabbits (23-25 days old), with loss of about 35 per cent in body weight, 

 the suprarenals apparently gained 89 per cent in weight! In 5 rabbits refed 

 after a period of inanition, however, the suprarenals appeared 23 per cent sub- 

 normal in weight. 



Lepine ('74) stated that during inanition in animals the suprarenals appear 

 nearly normal. 



Martinotti ('92, '92a) found the suprarenal glands enlarged and congested 

 in fasting guinea pigs. The blood not only distended the vessels but also 

 infiltrated the intercellular spaces of the cell cords. After 3 or 4 days of inani- 

 tion, the number of mitoses in a section of the cortex was found greatly increased 

 (20-25), as likewise in animals refed after a few days of inanition. 



Barbera and Bicci ('00) found in rabbits starved 7 days with loss of 34 per 

 cent in body weight a reduction in average diameter of the suprarenal cortex 

 nuclei from 7.238/1 to 4.81 7/1, a decrease of 33.4 per cent. In the medulla, 

 the nuclei were reduced from 7.773/x to 5.587/*, a decrease of 28.25 P er cent. 

 Similar results were obtained in dogs starved 17-26 days, with loss of 29-36 

 per cent in body weight. Changes in the cytoplasmic and nuclear structure 

 were also described. 



The subsequent investigations concerning the effects of inanition on the 

 suprarenals (in animals) have usually centered around either the changes 

 in the cortex, especially in its fat content, or in the medulla (chromaffin tissue). 

 These two phases will therefore be considered separately. 



