8o INTERNAL SECRETIONS OF THE OVARY 



(c) INTERSEXUALITY 



The evidence that the ovary performs its functions by other 

 than nervous means may be supported by our knowledge of 

 sexual abnormality — both spontaneous and experimental. The 

 information relating to experimental intersexuality in mammals 

 has largely been summarized in the preceding section dealing 

 with the ovarian graft, but instances of spontaneous inter- 

 sexuality provide striking demonstrations of the endocrine 

 action of ovarian tissue. A full discussion of these abnormalities 

 is given by Crew (149), Goldschmidt (248) and Brambell (81). 



(d) ADMINISTRATION OF OVARIAN PREPARATIONS 



The data discussed above show that the ovary controls the 

 development and periodicity of the accessory organs, and that no 

 nervous mechanism is involved. It is now necessary to consider 

 what progress has been made towards the final proof that the 

 control is endocrine in nature, i.e. towards the preparation of 

 the active substances. 



Brown-Sequard (107) appears to have originated the use of 

 ovarian preparations in cases of ovarian deficiency. Following 

 his classic experiments, many workers reported results of the 

 same nature, including Loewy and Richter (424), Neuman and 

 Vas (473), and Camboulas (113). 



The ovarian tissue was usually administered by mouth, fresh 

 or dried, or simple extracts were eaten or injected. The 

 criteria of ovarian activity used by these early workers were 

 remarkably varied, ranging from obscure metabolic effects to 

 psychological changes. 



Most of the experiments were clinical, and the results were 

 as varied as the modes of administration and the criteria of 

 activity. Various subsequent authors have pointed out the 

 probability that any results obtained could have been produced 

 with any tissue extract. These early workers, however, though 

 producing few results of value, yet laid the foundations of the 

 direct study of ovarian secretion. 



Later, the fundamental need for accurate criteria of activit}^ 

 began to be recognized. In the present state of our knowledge 



