KINETIC DISEASES 233 



resemblance and of the method of their control. All 

 are modified by rest ; all are temporarily controllable 

 by morphia; all cause increased H-ion concentration 

 in the blood, and, therefore, tax heavily the organs of 

 acid neutralization, namely, the respiratory center, the 

 kidneys, the adrenals and the liver. The increased 

 respiratory rate in each of these conditions is accounted 

 for by the specific stimulative effect of the increased H-ion 

 concentration of the blood on the respiratory center. The 

 demand for neutralization of the increased acidity 

 incident to emotion, exertion, infection or Graves' 

 disease is met by increased activity of the adrenals 

 and liver. If the acidity increases so rapidly that 

 neutralization cannot keep pace with it, then nephri- 

 tis may result from the action of the acid by-products 

 upon the kidneys. Hence, in emotion, in infections and 

 in Graves' disease, albumin and casts are frequently 

 found in the urine and in extreme cases, acute acidosis 

 may develop. The acidosis of emotion, of infection and 

 of Graves' disease is evidenced in each case by thirst. 

 The cycles of vomiting in Graves' disease are caused 

 by acidosis, which is the most common cause of death in 

 this disease. 



It is a significant fact that continued lymphocytosis 

 is common to both Graves' disease and tuberculosis. 

 By the production of lymphocytes the body defends 

 itself against infection. Why, then, the lymphatic 

 hyperplasia, indicative of overwork, in Graves' disease 

 in the absence of infection? It is possible that the 

 protective role played by the thyroid in all infections 

 is not that usually assigned to it, namely, neutral- 

 ization of bacteria or toxins by direct action of the 



