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THE THYROID-OVARIAN SYNDROME 
By G. L. ROHDENBURG, M.D., New York City* 
Endocrinology at the present time is still a rather 
confused subject. Marked and typical cases of endo- 
crine dysfunction are recognized without difficulty, but 
the so-called “formes frutes” of these same disturb- 
ances are all too seldom diagnosed. The importance of 
the endocrine system in everyday medicine is being 
more and more emphasized by the discovery of new 
syndromes. As each new syndrome is recognized and 
described, the present confusion is becoming less evi- 
dent. All of the syndromes have symptoms explainable 
on a basis of disturbed physiology, and once the exact 
modus of this disturbance is understood, organotherapy 
becomes more rational, and hence more successful. 
The basis of success in endocrine therapy rests on 
the fact that no one gland is ever individually diseased, 
in the sense that it may be the sole cause of all of the 
symptoms present. The glands of internal secretion 
form a closely-interrelated system and what affects one 
affects all, though in different degree and manner. 
Treatment, therefore, in order to be successful, must be 
based upon a consideration not alone of the gland ob- 
viously diseased, but also of those indirectly affected. 
Lack of observation of this important principle is the 
most frequent cause of failure in therapy. 
* The writer of this essay received the second prize of $100.00. 
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