ADENOLOGY. THE ENDOCRINOUS GLANDS AND THEIR EXTRACTS 279 



the functional activities of organs are called hormones. Shafer called 

 attention to the fact that apparently some glandular products inhibited 

 or checked or retarded the normal functional activities of organs" to 

 which the name chalones has been applied. The chalones may be com- 

 pared to a balance wheel, tending to regulate the normal growth and 

 functioning of tissues and organs. Without the chalones there would be 

 hyper-function due to the unchecked hormones. 



The function of a gland may be excessive, or lessened, or abnormal 

 being neither excessive nor subnormal. Thus we have a hyper- a hypo- 

 and a dys-function of a gland or of glands. Recent investigations and 

 observation have shown that the dys-function, to a lesser degree also 

 the hyper- and hypo-function of glands, modify profoundly the resistance 

 to infections. In other words, the glands are of the greatest importance 

 form the viewpoint of immunology. This makes it clear why the glandular 

 extracts and secretions have recently come into use in medical practice. 

 The results of their use have in some instances been marvelous, whereas 

 in other instances the therapeutic effects have been almost nil. It may 

 be stated, however, that the therapeutic application of glandular extracts 

 is as yet in its infancy and is based almost entirely upon empiricism. The 

 following is a brief review and summary of the science of adenology. 



i. The Glands with Ducts 



1 . The Liver. This is the largest gland of the body and it is essential 

 to life. The glycogenic function of this gland is familiar to students of 

 physiology. It gives off two substances within the cells, namely glycogen 

 and urea, which are poured into the blood for the purpose of general 

 nutrition or for elimination. Gay has recently isolated a substance 

 from animal livers and also found abundantly in certain mussels (the 

 abalone of the Pacific Coast), to which he has given the name "taurin" 

 and which promises to be a curative agent in tuberculosis. The liver is 

 one of the organs which is usually quite free from tuberculosis and the 

 supposition is that it contains a substance (taurin) which prevents tuber- 

 cular infection. The laboratory experiments on tubercular guinea pigs 

 have been very promising. 



2. The Spleen. Apparently the spleen is not essential to life as has 

 been shown by animal experiments. The chief changes following extir- 

 pation are enlargement of the lymphatic glands and a hyper-function of the 

 red marrow of the long bones. The spleen has been credited with giving 

 rise to leucocytes and is supposed to be the grave yard of the red blood 

 corpuscles. The true function of the spleen is not yet known. 



3. The Pancreas. The pancreas is absolutely essential to life, as its 

 removal results in death, preceded by a pronounced glycosuria or diabetes 



