142 THE INTERNAL SECRETIONS 1920 



that do not have both of these clinical characteristics. 

 It was only a step for me to discover that a related 

 condition existed in many acute infectious diseases, 

 and that the lowered tension and resistance prepared 

 a fertile soil for the development of the tubercle 

 bacillus. 



With just as much reason we can go a step further 

 and say that anything that produces a hypotension of 

 the circulation may be a predisposing factor in any 

 infectious disease should exposure to that infection 

 take place at such a time. 



That the syndrome known as hypoadrenia exists in 

 these conditions we know well. What, then, should be 

 our line of treatment? Two methods of attack are sug- 

 gested. First : To stimulate the adrenals so that they 

 will produce more abundantly. This is not logical treat- 

 ment because those glands probably have been over- 

 stimulated already in order to supply the demand 

 caused by the falling blood-tension. This has caused 

 overwork and they have at least temporarily failed. 

 The second method is the logical one. It is to supply 

 the deficiency from outside by applying the principles 

 of organotherapy. With this method we get results. 

 We secure a better heart action, a higher blood pressure 

 and far better elimination. Not for a moment would 

 I have one think that all I believe we have to do is to 

 raise the blood pressure, but what I want to emphasize 

 here is that the raising of the pressure of the blood is 

 of great importance in curing the patient, provided a 

 hypotension exists. 



The administration of adrenal substance, with or 

 without synergists, not only provides immediate sys- 

 temic effects, but it gives the overworked adrenals of 

 the patient a chance to recover themselves so that later 

 they can take up their work and perform their normal 

 function again. 



