EVERY-DAY ENDOCRINOLOGY 39 



principle of the gland in question, obtained from the 

 domestic animals, is indicated. 



While it is true that our knowledge concerning the 

 glands of internal secretion is far from being complete, 

 we know enough about some of them, at least, to justify 

 cnr attempt at this organotherapy with a double pur- 

 pose in mind, namely, to try to relieve distressing symp- 

 toms and complaints, and also to promote, at the same 

 time, our knowledge about the matter. 



Thus, the role that the thyroid gland plays in con- 

 trolling or supervising the metabolism of the body by 

 balancing the processes of destruction and reconstruc- 

 tion of tissues, is well known to all who read standard 

 works on physiology. Equally well we know the func- 

 tion of the corpus luteum, manufactured by the ovaries, 

 in controlling the process of menstruation, and in bal- 

 ancing nervous irritability. We also by this time 

 know the role played by the adrenals in maintaining 

 the tonicity of the heart and blood vessels, and, indeed, 

 of the musculature of the human body in general. 



It is not necessary here to discuss the physiology of 

 the endocrine glands in detail. It will be sufficient for 

 us to admit that we know enough about them to put 

 this knowledge into therapeutic action on a rational 

 basis. 



THE RELATIONS OF THE GLANDS 



Right here the attention of the reader must be called 

 to the following logical consideration : As in any com- 

 plicated piece of machinery one part out of order for 

 any length of time will necessarily interfere with the 

 proper function of some one or more other parts, with 

 which it is closely related. So it is with the endocrine 

 glands. They are so closely interrelated with one an- 

 other that the improper function of one of them will 

 bring about a derangement in function in one or more 

 of the others. 



