606 THE POSTERIOR PITUITARY AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 



In view of all these facts, the following conclusion seems to us 

 warranted: The posterior pituitary ~body is the center upon which 

 all emotions, shock psychical or traumatic and kindred sources 

 of nervous functional excitement or depression react, and impair- 

 ment of its functions accounts for the pathological phenomena now 

 ascribed to such causes. 



THE PITUITARY BODIES AS THE GOVERNING CENTERS 

 OF THE VITAL PROCESSES. 



The foregoing facts sufficiently emphasize the physiological 

 importance of the posterior pituitary body, for, in transferring 

 to this organ the functional attributes so long thought to belong 

 to the medulla and the pons in addition to others herein out- 

 lined, we have concentrated within its precincts the entire con- 

 trol of all chemico-physical agencies that enter into and serve to 

 sustain life's processes. This, of course, indicates that even the 

 anterior pituitary body is governed by its mate. That such is 

 the case is evident: the terminal fibers that have been very 

 properly termed "vasomotor" hold all vessels in their grasp, 

 while it is through their intermediary that cellular metabolism 

 and the oxygen-supply to all tissues are incited and governed. 

 Indeed, this diminutive organ appears to us at least as one 

 of Nature's most wonderful achievements. And yet, does the 

 anterior pituitary not govern its mate? We have sufficiently 

 emphasized the increased oxidation that occurs in all organs 

 when this lobe is unduly active; that the posterior lobe is no 

 exception to the rule is obvious. It thus becomes evident that 

 both pituitaries are interdependent: a proof, indeed, of their 

 supremacy over all other organic functions. 



With due reserve, however, and fully realizing that all the 

 deductions recorded in this volume may be faulty in the light 

 of data with which we may not have been familiar, we venture 

 to submit the following conclusion: 



The pituitary bodies are the general centers which actively 

 sustain cellular metabolism: the anterior pituitary insures oxy- 

 genation of the Nood and all oxidation processes; the posterior 

 pituitary adjusts the vibratory rhythm of all nervous impulses 

 which incite and govern functional activity. 



This is not intended to imply that the pituitary bodies are 



