14 INTERNAL SECRETIONS 



than a phenomenon common to the aged female and male 

 " castrate." Some authors relate having observed an augmented 

 growth and changed locahzation of hair also in other parts of 

 the skin of castrated women, such as near the breasts and over 

 the sternum. According to other observers, in the castrated 

 woman, as in the castrated man, the hair of the body 

 disappears. 



As regards the breasts, a diminution and also an augmenta- 

 tion after castration have been described by different authors. 

 The statements about the sexual libido are also conflicting, 

 but it seems that it is generally diminished. 



As in men, a certain psychical disturbance is sometimes 

 observed in women after postpuberal castration, whereas the 

 intelligence, as a rule, remains unchanged. 



In many cases changes in the general metabolism occur in 

 women after castration. The most remarkable phenomenon 

 is the diminution in the oxygen used, and this results in the 

 accumulation of fat. Sometimes one may observe changes in 

 the calcium and phosphorus metabolism probably correlated 

 with changes in the skeleton ; but the data are very contradic- 

 tory. Only when castration is performed on account of 

 osteomalacia can one state with certainty that the metabolism 

 of calcium and phosphorus depends upon the ovary. In 

 general, the data quoted to show the influence of castration 

 on the different metabolic processes are so contradictory 

 that it is impossible to give a precise description of these 

 influences. 



As we said above, the cessation of function in the sexual 

 glands in old age can also be regarded as a castration effect. 

 In men commonly about the age of 60 or later one observes 

 nervous troubles of an undecided nature. Much more definite 

 are the phenomena occurring at the climacteric in women; 

 the cessation of menstruation, the accumulation of fat, and 

 sometimes an increase of hair on the face or the appearance 

 of a beard. But it must not be forgotten that we have no 

 direct evidence that these phenomena are caused by the 

 sexual glands ceasing to function, and it is impossible to base 

 definite conclusions as to the influence of the sexual glands in 

 modifying the morphological and physiological characters of 

 the organism upon this kind of observation. 



