STERILITY AND THE ENDOCRINES 245 



Senility is not dependent on the age of tissue, but on 

 the condition or nutrition of that tissue by internal 

 glandular functioning. Lack of functioning is inevit- 

 ably followed by atrophy, while atrophy is followed by 

 death. Dysf unctioning of the endocrine system regard- 

 less of age is followed by senile or presenile changes. 

 In the young we find these conditions simulating 

 changes that take place in late life, all due to singular 

 or pluriglandular dysfunction of the internal glandular 

 system. 



The internal glandular system throughout life is 

 capable of rendering its specific stimuli against a cer- 

 tain amount of resistance. If called upon, or taxed at 

 any period of time, beyond its maximum output, fatigue 

 results, with a retardation of function. Following this 

 senile changes occur: a concrete example being in the 

 roue whose spermatogenic function is at a minimum, 

 also as shown in the neurotic individual who suddenly 

 flares into tempers, only to call forth the adrenal secre- 

 tion which in the end fatigues the gland, and due to a 

 decrease in pressure caused by said fatigue the patient 

 becomes asthenic. Again the unconscious dysfunction, 

 such as decrease in the secretion from the anterior or 

 posterior lobes of the pituitary, the thyroid persistance 

 of the thymus, all have their effect on tissue nutrition. 

 Activity of mind and body are registered on the dial 

 of life in proportion to the nourishment of said tissue 

 (not the age of tissue) which is dependent in great part 

 by activation by the endocrines. 



ENDOCRINE ASPECTS OF DEATH 



Death in the broad meaning of the word as applied 

 to the animal organism is always specific; it is due to 

 lack of internal secretions to prevent their atrophy and 

 death. Death is always due to cessation of vital func- 

 tion, caused in each and every case by the absence of 

 that factor which under normal conditions activates or 



