152 THE INTERNAL SECRETIONS 1920 



favors a change in this mechanical obstruction to the 

 circulation in these so-called "precapillary areas." 



Many remarkable clinical experiences with both thy- 

 roid therapy and various pluriglandular formulas in 

 the control of functional high blood pressure 7 has em- 

 phasized in my own mind a very important series of 

 therapeutic possibilities in the treatment of this condi- 

 tion. It is first necessary to establish the fact that 

 hypothyroidism is present and prominent as, for exam- 

 ple, with my thyroid function test, 8 and then we have 

 a most rational and scientific means of treating this 

 particular condition; and if, in conjunction with other 

 benefits there is a change for the better in the high 

 blood pressure, then we are pleased. It may be said in 

 this instance that another useful means of modifying 

 functional high blood pressure due to toxemic irritation 

 of the adrenals is the use of the antagonistic function 

 of the pancreas which is known to balance adrenal 

 medullary activity. We have had a good deal of experi- 

 ence in the use of combinations of thyroid with pan- 

 creas substance (not pancreatin) and many times the 

 sphygmomanometer shows encouraging changes in the 

 systolic pressure. 



