Chapter XII. 



Some Practical Aspects. The Problem 

 of Rejuvenation. 



We have discussed in the foregoing chapters the manifold 

 influences which the sex hormones exert on the organism. We 

 have seen how far morphogenesis during embryonic and 

 extrauterine development depends upon sexual hormones, and, 

 moreover, how somatic and psychical puberty, if once reached, 

 is further maintained and developed during the whole sexual 

 life by the intermediation of sex hormones. The endocrine sex 

 gland is in very close relation to other organs of internal secretion, 

 and variation in the function of the sex gland necessarily inter- 

 feres with the activity of the whole system of endocrine glands. 

 On the other hand the production of sex hormones and its 

 influence on the body depends greatly on the simultaneous 

 activity of the other parts of the endocrine system. 



We have seen further that various abnormal or pathological 

 conditions such as inter sexuality, eunuchoidism, sexual precocity 

 and possibly, it may here be added, certain other pathological 

 conditions in women depend to a certain degree, directly or 

 indirectly, upon abnormal or pathological conditions of the 

 endocrine sex gland. The abnormal condition may be either 

 inborn or acquired. Many infectious diseases, especially those 

 of a chronic character, as, for instance, tuberculosis, can injure 

 either the sex gland or the other organs of internal secretion. 

 Poisons such as alcohol may act similarly. The question of 

 castration also has its practical interest in connection with 

 many diseases in women and tuberculosis of the testicle in men. 

 In view of these considerations one can assuredly say that the 

 study of the sex hormones must be one of great interest to 

 those concerned with medical science. 



It is none the less of great importance also in relation to 

 eugenics. It is one of the main objects of eugenics to regulate 

 mating in such a way that healthy progeny is produced. 

 Now it is probable that this can be attained only when a normal 



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