IDEAS CONCERNING THE ENDOCRINES 269 



STIMULATING MUSCULAR TONE 



McNeile, of Los Angeles, uses the posterior pitui- 

 tary principle injected directly into the uterus during 

 Caesarean section. This is because it directly stimu- 

 lates the muscle fibres of the uterus, causing contrac- 

 tion and preventing hemorrhage. He uses it while 

 doing the operation at term, or if done early to re- 

 lieve, and to sterilize a tuberculous patient (De Lee's 

 operation). 



For this effect on muscle fibres it is used also to 

 maintain the heart in myocardial tendencies, to help 

 postoperative shock and to maintain a normal bowel 

 tone and stomach tone to prevent postoperative dis- 

 tention, obstruction, and dilated stomach. The use of 

 pituitrin in properly selected cases will avert many 

 instrumental deliveries from uterine inertia. The in- 

 jection of adrenalin and normal salt, intravenously 

 (30 m. of 1-1000 solution to one pint), or subcuta- 

 neously, is a great help in shock. 



As the father of ovariotomy, Dr. Ephraim McDowell 

 became a famous benefactor of womanhood. I honor 

 the toilers who give their all to establish vital facts 

 in surgery and in medicine; these men who triumph 

 despite difficulties and adverse criticism; these intel- 

 lectural giants who rise high above doubt. There has 

 been no braver act than that of McDowell, who calmly 

 operated while a howling mob, whose attitude was 

 dangerous and malicious, was just outside the humble 

 home. Much unkind and prejudicial propaganda has 

 had to be overcome since that time, and students of 

 organotherapy have had to face much criticism, de- 

 spite all of which they have courageously gone forward 

 and achieved. 



Many have said that these hormones would not be 

 effective if given per os; that they would be destroyed 

 by the digestive processes ; and that such dosage would 

 be inaccurate. Clinical experience decisively disproves 



