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SOME CLINICAL ASPECTS OF ENDOCRINOLOGY 
By F. J. FARNELL, M.D., F.A.C.P., Providence, R. I.* 
“One thinks metaphysically; but one lives 
and acts physically.” DESCARTES. 
Should one be called upon to consider the most impor- 
tant factors necessary for complete harmony in one’s 
self, the first thought would be, undoubtedly, one’s own 
self. And yet, is that all that is necessary? “Know 
thyself” has long been recognized; but even then, with- 
out an harmonious environment, proper mental and 
physical adjustment oftentimes cannot take place. 
Sherrington once said, ‘‘environment drives the brain 
and the brain drives the body.” 
There is little doubt that exogenous factors play an 
important part in the response or rapport of the various 
physiological functions, which, when linked with poorly 
developed instinctive demands, unstable emotional 
activities or variations in the personality balance, 
causes a tendency towards a corresponding reaction 
affecting the tonus system which brings about a varia- 
tion in the cardiovascular response, producing biochem- 
ical changes and metabolic disturbances with variations 
in the endocrine output. 
In the discussion of this subject the writer will at- 
tempt to present a few aspects of its clinical signifi- 
cance, emphasizing those facts which indicate a quali- 
* The writer of this essay received the third prize of $75.00. 
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