64 THE SEX-COMPLEX 



Extirpation The effects of castration on the pineal have already 



!nts< been mentioned. The only other evidence in connexion 



with the genital functions of this interesting organ is 



that which has been obtained clinically, and with this 



I shall deal later. 



PHYSIOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF EXTRACTS OF THE PINEAL 



Effects of in- The immediate effects of intravenous injections of an 

 x- extract of the pineal are not pronounced. A slight 



tracts. pressor action on the uterus has been observed by 



McCord 1 , but it is very doubtful whether this is specific. 



Effects of Feeding experiments. Dana and Berkeley 2 and 



plneaUx- 1 McCord 3 have noted increased rapidity of growth and 



tracts. development in young animals and birds that have been 



fed on pineal substance, associated with early sexual 



maturity. McCord concludes from his experiments that 



" the same precocity of development usually attributed 



to pineal deficiency (hypopinealism) was obtained in 



animals by supplying an increased amount of pineal 



substance by feeding or injecting pineal preparations ". 



1 McCord, C. P., Trans. Amer. Gynecol. Soc., 1917, vol. xlii, p. 41. 



2 Dana, C. L., and W. N. Berkeley, Med. Rec., 1913, vol. Ixxxiii, 

 p. 835. 



3 McCord, C. P., Journ. Amer. Med. Assoc., 1914, vol. Ixiii, p. 232; 

 idem, 1915, vol. Ixv, p. 517. 



