RELATIONS OF THE ORGANS TO ONE ANOTHER. 609 



that it perhaps secretes a kinase which is for the good of all the body-cells. 

 But all this is speculation, and drawing inferences from analogy without 

 any real foundation. We must not fail to repeat here that the functions 

 of the thyroid gland are not all of the same kind. It may also serve to 

 start certain processes. 



We must now consider an action of the thyroid gland bearing a certain 

 analogy to a disease, which, to a certain extent, is the exact opposite to 

 Cachexia strumipriva. We refer to Basedow's disease. If too much thyroid 

 gland is administered, there results an abnormal destruction of albumin. 

 The elimination of nitrogen in the urine increases considerably. Further- 

 more, there is an apparent intoxication, with increased pulse frequency, 

 polyphagia, polydipsia and polyuria. In Basedow's disease similar symp- 

 toms appear, especially the increased destruction of albumin. This 

 disease has been traced to an increased activity of the follicular epi- 

 thelium of the thyroid gland. Quite recently the parathyroids have 

 also been held to be partly responsible. There are many observations 

 which indicate such a connection, 1 but it has been by no means positively 

 established. 



The hypophysis, or pituitary gland, is always mentioned in connection 

 with the thyroid. It is a compound organ. The anterior lobe is glandular 

 and resembles somewhat the thyroid body, while the posterior portion 

 consists chiefly of fibrous tissue. Between the two lobes there is a 

 hollow space rich in vessels and lined with ciliated epithelium. The 

 function of this body, which was once considered to be a rudimentary 

 organ, is still unknown to us. In cases of myxedema there has frequently 

 been hypertrophy of the pituitary gland, while extirpation of the thyroid 

 tends to produce the same effect. In cases of hypertrophy and enlarge- 

 ment of the pituitary body peculiar -symptoms often develop, especially 

 an abnormal growth of the bones at the end of the extremities, the 

 phalanges of the fingers and toes, although the softer parts, as the hands, 

 feet, lips, tongue, and nose, are also affected. It is quite natural to 

 compare this increased development with the retarded growth which takes 

 place after the cessation of the functions of the thyroid gland. Yet we do 

 not positively know that there is a direct connection with this disease, 

 known as acromegaly, and the changes in the functions of the pituitary 

 gland. Experiments carried out to determine the functions of this organ, 

 by studying the effects of its removal, have not led to conclusive results. 

 Pituitary extracts have also been administered and found to cause an 

 increased elimination of nitrogen. 2 We are not justified in drawing any 

 conclusion from this observation as to any existing analogy with the thyroid 



1 L. Humphry: The Parathyroid Glands in Grave's Disease. Lancet, 11 (1905). 



2 T. Malcolm: J. Physiol. 30, 270 (1904). Thompson and Johnston: ibid, 33, 189 (1905). 



