EVERY-DAY ENDOCRINOLOGY 39 
principle of the gland in question, obtained from the 
domestic animals, is indicated. 
While it is true that our knowledge concerning the 
glands of internal secretion is far from being complete, 
we know enough about some of them, at least, to justify 
cur attempt at this organotherapy with a double pur- 
pose in mind, namely, to try to relieve distressing symp- 
toms and complaints, and also to promote, at the same 
time, our knowledge about the matter. 
Thus, the role that the thyroid gland plays in con- 
trolling or supervising the metabolism of the body by 
balancing the processes of destruction and reconstruc- 
tion of tissues, is well known to all who read standard 
works on physiology. Equally well we know the func- 
tion of the corpus luteum, manufactured by the ovaries, 
in controlling the process of menstruation, and in bal- 
ancing nervous irritability. We also by this time 
know the role played by the adrenals in maintaining 
the tonicity of the heart and blood vessels, and, indeed, 
of the musculature of the human body in general. 
It is not necessary here to discuss the physiology of 
the endocrine glands in detail. It will be sufficient for 
us to admit that we know enough about them to put 
this knowledge into therapeutic action on a rational 
basis. 
THE RELATIONS OF THE GLANDS 
Right here the attention of the reader must be called 
to the following logical consideration: As in any com- 
plicated piece of machinery one part out of order for 
any length of time will necessarily interfere with the 
proper function of some one or more other parts, with 
which it is closely related. So it is with the endocrine 
glands. They are so closely interrelated with one an- 
other that the improper functicn of one of them will 
bring about a derangement in function in one or more 
of the others. 
