142 THE INTERNAL SECRETIONS—1920 
that do not have both of these clinical characteristics. 
It was only a step for me to discover that a related 
condition existed in many acute infectious diseases, 
and that the lowered tension and resistance prepared 
a fertile soil for the development of the tubercle 
bacillus. 
With just as much reason we can go a step further 
and say that anything that produces a hypotension of 
the circulation may be a predisposing factor in any 
infectious disease should exposure to that infection 
take place at such a time. 
That the syndrome known as hypoadrenia exists in 
these conditions we know well. What, then, should be 
our line of treatment? Two methods of attack are sug- 
gested. First: To stimulate the adrenals so that they 
will produce more abundantly. This is not logical treat- 
ment because those glands probably have been over- 
stimulated already in order to supply the demand 
caused by the falling blood-tension. This has caused 
overwork and they have at least temporarily failed. 
The second method is the logical one. It is to supply 
the deficiency from outside by applying the principles 
of organotherapy. With this method we get results. 
We secure a better heart action, a higher blood pressure 
and far better elimination. Not for a moment would 
I have one think that all I believe we have to do is to 
raise the blood pressure, but what I want to emphasize 
here is that the raising of the pressure of the blood is 
of great importance in curing the patient, provided a 
hypotension exists. 
The administration of adrenal substance, with or 
without synergists, not only provides immediate sys- 
temic effects, but it gives the overworked adrenals of 
the patient a chance to recover themselves so that later 
they can take up their work and perform their normal 
function again. 
