ORGANOTHERAPY AND THE ADRENALS 167 



Each cell and each organ is then progressively less able 

 to accomplish its usual work. The heart's contraction 

 is less forcible and its emptying less complete. There 

 is an increase of H-ions in the general circulation with 

 local areas of greater acidosis where the circulation is 

 more sluggish, with the attendant aches and pains so 

 often called "rheumatism." The cause that first got the 

 patient into this condition long since may have been 

 removed, but the patient has never been able to rid him- 

 self of the accumulation of metabolites that is keeping 

 him where he is. 



Under these conditions, consistent support of the 

 adrenals changes the whole picture. After only a com- 

 paratively few doses the patient will say, "Yes, I feel 

 better." His heart beats more strongly, but not so 

 fast ; there is a better circulation of blood to and from 

 every part. The nutrition to every cell and organ is 

 better, the excretory products instead of stagnating, 

 are being carreid away, and instead of a vicious circle, 

 we have a beneficent cycle, in which the whole organ- 

 ism profits. It is not the whole story, however, that a 

 better circulation is established, important as that fac- 

 tor is. The presence of a sufficient amount of the in- 

 ternal secretion of the adrenals has a favorable influ- 

 ence on metabolism, increases oxidation, and, therefore, 

 of itself improves the quality of the blood as well as its 

 distribution. 



It is doubtless this action and its property of increas- 

 ing the immune reactions, as well as its circulatory ac- 

 tion, that gives to adrenal extract its great value in 

 pneumonia, tuberculosis, typhoid fever and all low 

 asthenic states. 



Recently a patient came under observation with a 

 history of pulmonary tuberculosis and pleural effusion 

 some years ago. There had been no evidence of an 

 active pulmonary process for several years. The white 

 blood count was 8.300; the red cells 5,470,000. The 



